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CHRAJ intensifies anti-corruption
crusade
Accra, Dec. 4, Ghanadot/GNA - The Commission for Human
Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on Tuesday
initiated an anti-corruption mechanism aimed at raising
societal abhorrence to corrupt practices from rhetorical
perspective to enforcement.
The CHRAJ Anti-Corruption Mechanism is a 20-minute
documentary exposing the ills of corruption, and the views
of revenue agencies, non-governmental agencies, government
officials, World Bank and religious bodies.
Premiering the documentary as part of the Commission's week
of activism to commemorate this year's International Human
Rights Day, Mr. Richard Quayson, a Deputy Commissioner of
CHRAJ, said the documentary would serve as education tool
for the public to understand the complex nature of
corruption.
The anti-corruption documentary unveils the causes and
impact of corruption, especially on the economy, social and
cultural rights of individuals.
Mr. Quayson therefore implored the general public, civil
society activists, religious bodies, politicians, media and
governance institutions to support efforts aimed at reducing
opportunities for corruption.
"The Commission recognises that the fight against corruption
requires the involvement of all persons, not only
politicians or public servants but all of us, to
collectively demand and act with our conscience in promoting
fairness, transparency and accountability.
"Together we can build the society where human rights and
human dignity are protected, where power is accountable, and
governance is transparent."
Mr Quayson said the Commission, as part of its mandate,
adopted a three-pronged approach through investigations,
prevention and education to ensure that the practice became
unattractive.
"The Commission continues to investigate allegations of
corruption fully and fairly and without fear or favour, to
ensure that abuses of public office are reduced."
Other measures adopted by the Commission include the
development of Guidelines on Conflict of Interest to help
reduce opportunities for corruption, development of a
Comprehensive Code of Conduct for public officers as
envisaged under Chapter 24 of the 1992 Constitution.
In an interview with Ghana News Agency, Ms. Comfort Akosua
Edu, Head of Public Relations, said other activities
earmarked for the week on the theme: "Human Rights and
Social Justice in Ghana at 50: Have we Come Of Age?"
include human rights
information fair, launch of CHRAJ anti-corruption
documentary and human rights education manual for the Ghana
Education Service.
Others include, a symposium on making healthcare accessible
to all, and a human rights quiz competition.
She said the climax of the week-long activities would focus
on the presentation of the Commission's State of Human
Rights Report on December 10 to coincide with the United
Nations Human Rights Day, a day when people throughout the
world acknowledge the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on June 10,
1948.
The Day, according to Ms. Edu, provided an opportunity for
human rights institutions to re-affirm their decisions and
develop new strategies to advance human rights in the world.
On December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly
adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which
states among other things that, all human beings are born
free and equal in dignity and rights.
GNA
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