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CSOs Condemn Cabinet’s Reluctance to Pass Conduct of Public Officers Bill

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Accra, Ghana – A coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) has issued a joint statement expressing profound disappointment with the Cabinet’s reluctance to approve the Conduct of Public Officers Bill (CoPO) for enactment. The CSOs, including OccupyGhana, Ghana Anti-Corruption Corruption, Ghana Integrity Initiative, Ghana Center for Democratic Development, and Citizen’s Movement Against Corruption, challenged the Cabinet’s claim that existing laws are adequate to deal with the conduct of public officers.

The CoPO Bill, first introduced in 2008, aims to reform the declaration of assets and liabilities, conflict of interests, and code of conduct for public officials. The CSOs argued that the Bill’s enactment would help combat corruption in the public sector, which has been a persistent problem in Ghana.

The coalition criticized the government’s lack of commitment to fighting corruption, citing a recent Afrobarometer survey that showed a majority of Ghanaians believe corruption has increased and the government is doing a poor job of addressing it. They urged the Cabinet to approve the Bill and forward it to Parliament for passage into law.

The CSOs’ campaign, #PasstheCoPObillnow, seeks to mobilize Ghanaians, fellow CSOs, and the media to pressure the government to take action on the Bill. They emphasized that the enactment of the CoPO Bill is crucial for ensuring transparency and accountability in the public sector and promoting economic development.

Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO

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