The Deputy Commissioner of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Richard Quayson, has urged traditional authorities to create an ethical environment that will help minimise opportunities and incentives for corruption.
“Our traditional authorities should also serve as role models for honesty, integrity and accountability, while leading the crusade against corruption, indiscipline and lawlessness in our society,” he stressed.
Mr Quayson, who made the call, was speaking at a meeting of the National House of Chiefs (NHC) to brief members on the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) in Kumasi.
He noted that “traditional authorities have crucial roles to play in the fight against corruption because corruption has been major setbacks to the country’s accelerated development, there is the need for the citizenry to show keen interest and play effective and efficient roles to address the social canker.
“I urged traditional rulers to lead by example, the crusade to restore vital cultural values, such as honesty and good character, among others, to help imbue discipline in our citizens and appeal to the National House of Chiefs to institute a national cultural review to help bring back the long-cherished cultural and moral values that made Ghanaians unique and distinct from others on the continent,” Mr Quayson said.
Togbe Afede XIV, President of the National House of Chiefs, observed that the idea by anti-corruption institutions to demand evidence from people who reported corrupt cases, was working against the enforcement of laws against corruption.
“Anti-corruption agencies can go beyond the evidence by checking on the bank accounts or properties of people who have been accused of corruption to investigate and prosecute,” and pointed out that “corruption is the number one stumbling block in national growth and development, there is the need for effective and efficient law enforcement to curb the canker which is affecting the growth and development of our country”. -gna.org
