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Pass Conduct of Public Officers Bill —CHRAJ

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Joseph Whittal, Commissioner of CHRAJ
Joseph Whittal, Commissioner of CHRAJ

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has urged the government to pri­oritise the passage of the Conduct of Public Officers Bill.

Similarly, the commission also called on public officers of the new government, members of the ninth Parliament and all public officers to take immediate steps to apprise themselves of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and declare their assets in accordance with law before taking office.

“It establishes a legal relation­ship between public officers and citizens, thus, public officers are expected to uphold integrity and advance the public interest at all times in the exercise of their offi­cial functions.”

“Public officials are to eschew all forms of unethical behaviour such as conflict of interest, abuse of power, and corruption. Against this expectation, the Commission wish­es to draw public officers’ attention to the obligations imposed on them under Chapter 24 of the 1992 Constitution (the Constitution) ti­tled ‘CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PUBLIC OFFICERS,’ CHRAJ said in a New Year’s message.

The message, which was issued and signed by the Commissioner of CHRAJ, Joseph Whittal on January 16, 2025, stated that an independent Constitutional body, with the mandate to promote good governance and the rule of law through the performance of its triple mandates, it wished, at the outset through the message to draw the attention of the new gov­ernment, its appointees, Members of Parliament (MPs) and persons serving in the public service of important governance compliance issues within the commission’s mandate as the country travelled to the new year, 2025.

It said commission wishes to draw public officers’ attention to the obligations imposed on them under Chapter 24 of the 1992 Con­stitution titled ‘Code of Conduct for Public Officers,’ it said, and that Article 284 stipulated that “A pub­lic officer shall not put himself in a position where his personal interest conflicts or is likely to conflict with the performance of the functions of his office.”

A “conflict of interest”, it explained, referred to a situation where a public official’s personal interest conflicted with or was like­ly to conflict with the performance of the functions of his/her office.

“Closely related to conflict of interest is compliance with Decla­ration of assets and liabilities under Article 286 (1) of the Constitution and Public Office Holders. (Decla­ration of Assets and Disqualifica­tion) Act, 1998 (Act 550).

“Article 286 (1) provides that, “A person who holds a public office mentioned in clause (5) of this article shall submit to the Audi­tor-General a written declaration of all property or assets owned by, or liabilities owed by, him direct­ly or indirectly- (a) within three months after the coming into force of this constitution or before tak­ing office, as the case may be; (b)at the end of every four years; and (c) at the end of its term of office,” it explained.

As the body charged with oversight under the constitution to conduct administrative review of the decisions, acts and omis­sions of public institutions and public officials, it indicated that the commission wished to entreat all public institutions to always ensure the legality and lawfulness of their decisions and actions.

“The constitution is anchored on fundamental human rights and freedoms as one of the core values. Ghana has also ratified several international human rights instruments to further demonstrate its resolve to respect, protect and fulfil human rights,” the statement added.

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 Heritage Month Ghana trends

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Since the institution of the Heri­tage Month celebration in Ghana, it has offered citizens opportuni­ties of a lifetime to learn about their cultures and lifestyles.

Ghana’s version is observed in the month of March, coinciding with the country’s Independence Day celebra­tions on March 6.

Heritage Month features festivals, food fairs, arts, crafts, and music events to highlight the economic and social value of preserving national heritage.

Though a brainchild of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), the celebra­tion has been driven to greater heights by local media with the organisation of several events to create the needed euphoria.

Among the events are the Heritage Caravan and Back To Your Village Food Bazaar pow­ered by Accra-based Citi FM and Citi TV, Wear Ghana Festival and the Gɔbɛ festival powered by 3News.

The Heritage Caravan is a road trip which takes patrons across more than half of Ghana’s regions to offer a distinctive road trip that allows participants to explore the various re­gions of Ghana, providing an up-close encounter with the country’s histori­cal and cultural heritage.

In addition to these roles played by the media, news anchors and other presenters appear on screens immac­ulately garbed in locally made outfits, bringing out the beauty of our tradi­tions.

Today, The Spectator news­paper selected a few of the media personalities that are working to give the cel­ebration a global dimension to project the country.  

 By Andrew Nortey

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 MoMo vendor 24 murdered at Kwadaso

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• Mobile money shop
• Mobile money shop

 A disturbing crime has shaken the Kwadaso Onion market communi­ty in Kumasi, leaving family and friends grieving the loss of a young life.

Identified only as Junior, a 24-year-old mobile money vendor, was found murdered in his room on Saturday, March 8, 2025.

According to eyewitnesses, Junior had returned home the previous day with a substantial amount of money, over Gh¢20,000.

It was suspected that the killers might have been motivated by the large sum of money in Junior’s posses­sion.

A police source that confirmed this to The Spectator, said investigation has been launched into Junior’s mur­der, but so far, no arrests have been made.

The Kwadaso community is reeling in shock, calling for justice and an end to the atrocity that has claimed the life of a young and promising individ­ual.

Junior, is believed to be a native of Ejisu Onwe, and was known to his col­leagues and friends as a hardworking and diligent individual who worked at the Kumasi Race Course.

His tragic death serves as a stark reminder of the risks and challenges mobile money vendors faced.

The incident comes barely a month after Patricia Nimako, a 27-year-old Mobile Money (MoMo) vendor, was shot and killed at Krofrom, Kumasi in the Ashanti region by an unknown assail­ants.

The suspected armed robbers fled with the deceased cell phones and an amount of GH¢10,000 on Thursday, February 13, at approximately 3:00 p.m.

The two armed robbers reportedly stormed the kiosk where the deceased was operating and without any provo­cation shot her dead.

There has not been any arrest yet by the police.

 From Kingsley E. Hope , Kumasi

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 Learn how to prepare local dishes…Queen mothers urge young women

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• Some local dishes

 In a heartwarming display of inter­generational wisdom, queen moth­ers from local communities in the Obuasi enclave shared their expertise on how to prepare local diets with young ladies on the International Women’s Day event, courtesy of An­gloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine.

Beyond the fanfare, these revered women leaders took centre stage to impart a vital life skill: traditional cooking as they guided eager students and other young ladies through the art of preparing local delicacies.

In fact, the aroma of ‘Abunabunu’, ‘Aprapransa’, ‘Enuhu’, ‘Akaw’, ‘Tuo Zafi’ (TZ), among others, wafted through the air to the extent it could attract people from a distance, as the queen mothers entertained the young women with tales of resilience, entrepreneurship, and community building.

This year’s International Wom­en’s Day Celebration was under the theme: ‘Accelerate Action for Wom­en’s Equity.’

As the event drew to a close, the queen mothers gave words of wisdom upon their young guests.

From Nana Amoanima Dede, Queen mother of Adansi she stated that: “Never forget your roots, and always remember that the kitchen is not just a place for cooking, but for building connections and forging communi­ties.”

Nana Akua Dwum II, Queen moth­er of Edubiase, on her part urged the young ladies to learn how to prepare traditional dishes in order to preserve cultural heritage of the nation.

Earlier, the Managing Director of the mining company, Samuel Boakye Pobee, mentioned their readiness to roll out an “All-Women Apprentice­ship Programme, aimed at empow­ering young women in the Obuasi communities in entrepreneurship.”

He said the project would include women in basic technical skills and their capacity building to boost their employability to reshape perceptions of women’s roles in traditionally male-dominated industries.

According to the Managing Director, the mining company’s commitment “is to empower young people with specialised skills, and progressive knowledge to make them financially independent.”

The company, he indicated, was accelerating action towards wom­en’s equality at the Obuasi Mine and within host communities with the aim to build a foundation to create an inclusive and supportive business culture.

Mr Pobee expressed the need for innovative approaches and dedicated efforts to encourage and invest in women’s participation in all fields, including all levels of technical and operational areas and must be inten­tional and deliberate.”

 From Kingsley E. Hope, Obuasi

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