Two anti-corruption agencies, the Ghana Integrity Initiative and the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, have charged authorities with ensuring the ongoing investigations into former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah are transparent.
While commending the former minister for stepping down, they urged an open investigation into the issue by the relevant state authorities, arguing that her actions in keeping such huge sums in her home were unconscionable.
“Much as we applaud the announced resignation of Honourable Cecilia Dapaah, it seems unconscionable to think of a public officer and a renowned political personality keeping such colossal amounts of money outside the banking sector.”
“This is why the news of Madam Cecilia Dapaah’s swift arrest and subsequent investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) must be commended, even as we ask for transparency in the investigation,” the organisations indicated in a joint statement.
The organisations further called for the immediate passage of the “Conduct of Public Officers Bill,” which they observe will enhance the country’s asset declaration rules.
“The Conduct of Public Officer’s Bill has been in front of Cabinet for more than a year without any clear commitment to having it laid before parliament for consideration and passage.”
They urged strengthening the Criminal Code (Amendment) Act, 2003 (Act 646) to provide for the reverse burden of proof in addressing illicit enrichment.
On the Presidency’s fight against corruption, GII and GACC tasked Nana Akufo-Addo to back up his claims that he is fighting corruption in Ghana by dispelling the notion that members of his government have interfered with corruption probes.
Earlier this week, the OSP warned against misreporting on Ms. Dapaah’s issues after the Office arrested her for suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding the monies allegedly stolen from her house.
