The Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) has called on government and state institutions to ensure transparency, impartiality, and strict adherence to due process in addressing the growing number of corruption allegations involving public agencies and officials.
In a statement issued in Accra, ISODEC expressed deep concern over the increasing cases of corruption and mismanagement of state resources, citing recent issues surrounding Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), the Buffer Stock Company (BSC), the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), and several irregularities exposed in the 2024 Auditor-General’s Report.
The organisation also referenced findings from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Attorney General’s recent reports, urging the government to fully implement their recommendations without fear or favour.
According to ISODEC, state resources must be used to provide social services, improve infrastructure, and address socio-economic inequalities across the country, rather than being lost to greed and political patronage. The group lamented that the political elite and sections of the public service have consistently failed to confront corruption with the urgency, passion, and commitment necessary to protect the national interest.
“Over the years, the political elite and greedy public officials have not confronted corruption with the urgency, passion and commitment with reference to its adverse impact on the lives of people. This opportunity is now,” the statement stressed.
ISODEC underscored that public trust in Ghana’s governance system hinges on three key principles — transparency about official findings, impartial handling of investigations, and rigorous respect for due process.
The organisation urged authorities to make relevant findings and evidence from the OSP and Attorney General’s reports accessible to oversight bodies and, where permissible by law, to the general public. This, it said, would enhance transparency and enable citizens to assess the completeness and integrity of the process.
The Centre also called for investigations to be handled by competent and independent authorities with no conflict of interest, noting that fairness and credibility must guide every step of the process. It further encouraged the government to manage corruption-related cases efficiently and without undue delay, arguing that protracted proceedings erode public confidence in accountability efforts.
Beyond the immediate investigations, ISODEC advocated for systemic reforms and stronger institutional oversight to prevent future abuses of power. The group urged the government to empower the Auditor-General to impose surcharges on offenders, promote the public declaration of assets by political office holders, and revise the Public Procurement Authority Act to close loopholes that facilitate graft.
It further recommended that individuals found guilty of corruption — whether in the current or previous administrations — should have their assets confiscated and face prison sentences proportionate to the funds or resources misappropriated.
ISODEC also proposed the establishment of regional tribunals, as provided under Article 4 of the 1992 Constitution, to include respected citizens and civil society members as part of efforts to promote neutrality and strengthen the rule of law.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability, ISODEC said it remains ready to collaborate with state agencies, civil society organisations, and the general public to promote integrity in public life. “The public purse belongs to the people, and not to political parties and their cronies. All must rise up to speak against graft of any form, anywhere, and by anyone,” the statement concluded.
Source: ghextractives.com