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Call for check on moonlighting by
public officials
Cape Coast, Dec. 15, Ghanadot/GNA - Mr Richard Asiedu-Badu,
a circuit court judge in Cape Coast, on Friday expressed
concern about the practice of moonlighting among some public
officials saying it was not only detrimental to the
efficient discharge of their official duties but also
contravened the law.
He specifically cited doctors and midwives of public health
facilities; some of whom he said were operating their own
clinics and maternity homes, a practice, which also
constituted conflict of interest.
Mr Asiedu-Badu, expressed these sentiments at a public forum
on: "Promoting transparency and accountability in the public
service: A focus on the new guidelines on conflict of
interest for public officials" for regional heads of
department in Cape Coast.
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ)
organized it.
The judge was unhappy that although such practices, were
"public knowledge", nothing had been done to halt them.
Mr Asiedu-Badu, also cited instances where some officials of
the Ghana Football Association (GFA) owned football clubs
and argued that even if there was a policy allowing it, it
should be reviewed because the "constitutional provisions
frown on it".
He called on the Commission to submit memoranda on the issue
to the appropriate quarters for the necessary action,
stressing: "Make the public know that these things are
illegal".
Mr Charles Ayamdoo, Deputy Director, for Anti-corruption at
the Commission, took the participants through practices,
which constituted abuse of office or power and conflict of
interest as well as the need to refrain from accepting
gifts, which might impinge on the impartial discharge of
their duties.
He urged them to study the guidelines on the conflict of
interest, which he said the Attorney General's Department
was working towards making them into law, to enhance the
discharge of their duties.
GNA
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