CHRAJ saga: ‘Ghana needs a new Anti-Corruption agency’ – SKB Asante

The Paramount Chief of Asante Asokore, Prof. S.K.B Asante is calling for the establishment of a new and “independent” body to investigate cases of corruption in the country.

His call follows recent reports of financial misappropriation involving the Commissioner of the Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Vivian Lauretta Lamptey.

The senior statesman who has expressed distrust in CHRAJ - which is currently the constitutionally mandated anti-corruption agency in the country - opined the body is not independent enough to deal with vices.

“We need a dynamic highly committed agency to deal with corruption.

"A very strong and dynamic independent body that will be set up within the constitution. I know that we have CHRAJ and so on, structured in the constitution as well, but we see the present situation of CHRAJ, we see the situation," he remarked.

The CHRAJ boss had recently come under intense pressure to vacate her post, following revelations that she was lodging at a hotel and paying the Cedi equivalent of $456.25 per day as over US$203,500 has been spent on renovating her official residence in Accra.

She has, however, moved into her official residence since November 26.

According to him, CHRAJ as it stands now may not have the strength to tackle corruption issues as effectively as their mandate requires.

“Do you think at the moment CHRAJ has the moral strength to investigate any corruption situation?" he quizzed.

"Will it actually be free from interference?” Asante wondered in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM.