A-G opens 14th Commonwealth Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa

Ghana is hosting the 14^th edition of the Commonwealth Regional Conference and Annual General Meeting of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa under the theme “Strengthening Institutions and Promoting Transparency: A Means of Fighting Corruption in Commonwealth Africa.”

The conference, which opened on May 6, 2024, at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, has brought together representatives from 24 anti-corruption institutions from 20 Commonwealth African countries to discuss ideas on combating corruption.

In her welcome address, Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO), the hosting institution, COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, revealed that the conference, which was originally scheduled for 2026, was moved to 2024 due to uncontrollable circumstances.

She thanked the government and President Nana Akufo-Addo for providing funding to expedite the event, which she believes demonstrates the President’s commitment to fighting corruption.

“This gesture is a testament to the President’s commitment to tackling corruption head-on with the view to creating a more just and equitable African society. We are deeply appreciative of this support, which has enabled us to convene this critical gathering two years ahead of schedule,” she said.

She also celebrated the Head of Public Sector Governance at the Commonwealth Secretariat, Dr. Roger Oppong Koranteng, for his pioneering role in the establishment of “vibrant” associations of anti-corruption agencies in Commonwealth Africa and other Commonwealth Regions, promoting inter-agency collaboration and learning through capacity building and the sharing of experiences and best practices.

Officially opening the conference was the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, who reiterated the commitment of the Akufo-Addo government in the fight against corruption.

Mr. Dame outlined key initiatives by the government since coming into office in 2017 to promote transparency and accountability and reduce the incidence of corruption.

“The Government of President Nana Akufo-Addo in 2019 spearheaded the passage of the Right to Information Act 2019 (Act 989). The Act provides for the implementation of the constitutional right to information held by a public institution to foster a culture of transparency and accountability in public affairs.”

“I have observed an increased utilisation of the Right to Information Act by Ghanaian citizens since its enactment to access information from public officers. The torch of transparency has really been lit to shine on the actions of public institutions and officials in Ghana.”

“The Government of Ghana has boosted the whistleblower regime by promoting an amendment in 2023 to the Whistleblower Act, 2006 (Act 720). This amendment passed in July 2023 introduces a reward system for whistleblowers by ensuring that thirty percent of all revenue accruing from cases conducted on the strength of a whistleblower’s activity is paid into the Fund, and 10% of the income directly generated by the whistleblower’s efforts is paid to the whistleblower,” he stated.

Mr. Dame also listed the Revenue Administration (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act 1029), Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2018 (Act 982), State Interests and Governance Authority Act, 2019 (Act 990), Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044), Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency Act, 2020 (Act 1015), Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992), Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), and Real Estate Agency Act, 2020 (Act 1047) as some important anti-corruption laws passed by the government.

According to him, President Akufo-Addo’s administration has pursued “some of the boldest” initiatives to reform the public sector, including digitalization, while enhancing the capacity of institutions to deal with corruption.

Also in attendance for the opening day of the conference were the Deputy British High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Keith McMahon; the Assistant Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Prof. Luis Franceschi; the Chairperson of the Association of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa, Ms May Di Silva; the Heads of Security Agencies; the Special Prosecutor, Mr. Kissi Agyebeng; and members of the diplomatic corps.

The meetings are expected to end on Saturday, May 11, 2024.