CHRAJ intensifies anti-corruption crusade

Accra, Dec. 4, GNA - The Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on Tuesday initiated an anti-corruption mechanism aimed at raising societal abhorrence to corrupt practices from rhetorical perspective to enforcement.

The CHRAJ Anti-Corruption Mechanism is a 20-minute documentary exposing the ills of corruption, and the views of revenue agencies, non-governmental agencies, government officials, World Bank and religious bodies. Premiering the documentary as part of the Commission's week of activism to commemorate this year's International Human Rights Day, Mr. Richard Quayson, a Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ, said the documentary would serve as education tool for the public to understand the complex nature of corruption.

The anti-corruption documentary unveils the causes and impact of corruption, especially on the economy, social and cultural rights of individuals.

Mr. Quayson therefore implored the general public, civil society activists, religious bodies, politicians, media and governance institutions to support efforts aimed at reducing opportunities for corruption.

"The Commission recognises that the fight against corruption requires the involvement of all persons, not only politicians or public servants but all of us, to collectively demand and act with our conscience in promoting fairness, transparency and accountability. "Together we can build the society where human rights and human dignity are protected, where power is accountable, and governance is transparent."

Mr Quayson said the Commission, as part of its mandate, adopted a three-pronged approach through investigations, prevention and education to ensure that the practice became unattractive.

"The Commission continues to investigate allegations of corruption fully and fairly and without fear or favour, to ensure that abuses of public office are reduced."

Other measures adopted by the Commission include the development of Guidelines on Conflict of Interest to help reduce opportunities for corruption, development of a Comprehensive Code of Conduct for public officers as envisaged under Chapter 24 of the 1992 Constitution. In an interview with Ghana News Agency, Ms. Comfort Akosua Edu, Head of Public Relations, said other activities earmarked for the week on the theme: "Human Rights and Social Justice in Ghana at 50: Have we Come Of Age?" include human rights information fair, launch of CHRAJ anti-corruption documentary and human rights education manual for the Ghana Education Service.

Others include, a symposium on making healthcare accessible to all, and a human rights quiz competition.

She said the climax of the week-long activities would focus on the presentation of the Commission's State of Human Rights Report on December 10 to coincide with the United Nations Human Rights Day, a day when people throughout the world acknowledge the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on June 10, 1948.

The Day, according to Ms. Edu, provided an opportunity for human rights institutions to re-affirm their decisions and develop new strategies to advance human rights in the world. On December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states among other things that, all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.