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Key Anti-corruption Manifesto Promises

Corruption has featured prominently in Ghana’s elections in the Fourth Republic. Political parties seeking power have often accused the incumbent of corruption and promised to fight the canker. Though with little commitment and success while in government, the two political parties that have duopolised the politics of the Fourth Republic—the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) —have alternated in offering anti-corruption solutions in their manifestos over the years. Here are highlights of some key manifesto promises of the winning political parties in Ghana’s elections since 2000.

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    Highlights of the NPP’s 2000 anti-corruption commitments

    1. Zero Tolerance for Corruption: Declare a "zero tolerance for corruption" policy. This includes the launch of an elaborate Code of Conduct for executive employees, the establishment of an in-house Office of Accountability, and an enhanced assets declaration regime

    2. Good Governance and Transparency: Implement an e-governance program to make government machinery and public services, such as Customs, the Registrar-General's Department, and taxation, more transparent and efficient

    3. Accountability of Public Officials: Hold public officials accountable and to streamline administrative procedures to remove opportunities for bribery

    4. Asset Declaration: Enforce strict compliance with asset declaration laws for public officials

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    Highlights of NPP’s 2004 anti-corruption commitments

    1. Fighting with Clenched Teeth: Consolidate initial "zero tolerance" policy, and fight corruption with "clenched teeth" if voted into power again

    2. Empowering Accountability Agencies: Empower institutions such as the Serious Fraud Office (now EOCO) and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to strengthen their investigative and prosecutorial capabilities

    3. Creation of an Office of Accountability: Create an office of accountability within the presidency to monitor public officials

    4. Legislative Reforms: Review and consolidate existing laws scattered across various instruments into one clear and accessible legislation to fight corruption

    5. Transparency through E-Governance: E-governance programme aimed at improving efficiency and transparency in procurement, customs, and taxation to reduce opportunities for bribery

  • Prez Mills

    Highlights of the NDC’s 2008 anti-corruption commitments

    1. Making Corruption High-Risk: Make corruption a "high-risk activity" for both public and political office holders

    2. Abolishing Rot and Nepotism: Stop the rot in government and run a government that is truthful, transparent, and accountable

    3. No Witch-Hunting Policy and Proper Prosecution: Punish corruption and uphold probity and integrity without political witch-hunting

    4. Dealing with Drug Trade:  Fight the drug trade (cocaine and heroin) to reduce the violent crimes associated with it

    5. Independence for Investigative Bodies: Strengthen investigative bodies, including reorganising the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) into an independent Anti-Fraud Commission with prosecutorial powers

    6. Promoting Transparency: Enact a Right to Information Bill (also known as the Freedom of Information Bill) to increase transparency and accountability in public affairs

    7. Fighting Illegal Wealth: Deal swiftly with officials in government who use their position to amass illegal wealth

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    Highlights of the NDC’s 2012 anti-corruption commitments

    1. Prosecution of Corrupt Officials: Deal ruthlessly with any act of corruption within the government and prosecute all corrupt ministers and appointees

    2. Preventive Measures: Adopt a preventive approach to fighting corruption by strengthening the investigative and anti-graft agencies to ensure that public officials do not have the opportunity to engage in corrupt activities

    3. Asset Declaration: Promote transparency and accountability in the management of public funds by encouraging the public to hold public officials accountable for their actions

    4. Strict Accountability in Procurement: Review public procurement laws to provide for an Independent Value for Money office to scrutinise government contracts, especially those above a certain threshold

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    Highlights of the NPP’s 2016 anti-corruption commitments

    1. Establishment of an Office of Special Prosecutor: Create an independent Office of Special Prosecutor to investigate and prosecute corruption-related cases, particularly those involving public office holders and politicians. This is aimed at depoliticising the anti-corruption fight

    2. "Lead by Example": Candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo pledges to lead a government that will not shield any official engaged in corrupt acts, ensuring the laws are applied without fear or favour

    3. Depoliticising Prosecution: Prosecute corrupt officials according to the rule of law and without "witch-hunting" by depoliticising the process.

    4. Strengthening Anti-Graft Institutions: Strengthen existing anti-corruption institutions, such as the Auditor General's office and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ)

    5. Transparency in Natural Resources: Committed to a transparent, competitive tender process for the allocation of oil blocks and mining licenses

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    Highlights of the NPP’s 2020 anti-corruption commitments

    1. Strengthening Agencies: Continued funding and capacity building for anti-graft bodies, specifically the Office of the Special Prosecutor, Attorney General’s Department, CHRAJ, and EOCO

    2. Digitalisation & Procurement: Expand digital systems to promote transparency, specifically the adoption of the Public Procurement Authority's digital system to track public spending and reduce human interface in the procurement processes

    3. Property Valuation: Expand the decentralisation of the Land Valuation Board to combat corruption in land management

    4. Supporting the OSP: Support the independent Office of the Special Prosecutor to investigate corruption among public officials

  • Mahama.avif

    Highlights of the NDC’s 2024 anti-corruption commitments:

    1. Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL): A dedicated initiative to investigate, prosecute, and recover funds misappropriated under the previous administration

    2. Special Corruption Courts: Collaborate with the judiciary to establish courts specifically to prosecute persons named in adverse findings by the Auditor-General or Parliament

    3. Restriction on Asset Acquisition: Prohibit all political appointees, public officials, and their immediate families from purchasing state assets

    4. Independent Value for Money Office: Establish a new body to scrutinise government procurements above a certain threshold to prevent inflated contracts and sole-sourcing abuse

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