Justice Francis Emile Short, former Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), has explained what the Constitution of Ghana says about conflict of interest.
Speaking exclusively on Corruption Watch, a segment on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, Friday, Justice Short, quoting what the constitution says, said it is wrong for a public officer to put himself in a situation that would promote the interest of family members.
He said though conflict of interest is mentioned in the constitution, the constitution does not define the meaning and scope of it.
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Mr Short noted that because the constitution mentioned it, CHRAJ came out with a comprehensive guideline in 2006 on conflict of interest useful for public officers.
“Conflict of interest though is in the constitution, the constitution doesn’t define the meaning and the scope of conflict of interest. But, in 2006, CHRAJ came up with guidelines,” he revealed.
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Mr Short posited that the guidelines, through discussions with the Attorney General, are expected to deal with conflict of interest issues.
He noted that, unfortunately, Parliament has not passed the bill brought before it yet.
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He said the guidelines are what they rely on at CHRAJ to determine complaints of conflict of interest.
Commissioner Short, reacting to the dragging of Mr Adjenim Boateng Adjei, suspended boss of the Public Procurement Authority to CHRAJ by the President on conflict of interest charges, said the president’s petition to CHRAJ is to allow the Commission to handle the issue of conflict of interest.
Source: Adomonline.com | Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy