Criminalise conflict of interest to fight corruption– Transparency International

By Elizabeth PUNSU, Kumasi

Transparency International Ghana has called for criminalisIing conflict of interest, describing it as one of the most pervasive and harmful forms of corruption within the public sector.

Speaking at an anti-corruption forum held in Kumasi, Fundraising Manager of the organisation Michael Boadi said that current administrative sanctions are insufficient to deter public officials from exploiting their positions for personal or political gain.

“Conflict of interest is at the core of most corruption cases in the public sector. It is no longer enough to just give warnings or internal sanctions. We must criminalise it to serve as a deterrent,” Mr. Boadi stressed.

The call comes against a backdrop of the country’s declining performance on the 2024 Corruption Perception Index (CPI), where the country dropped from a score of 43 to 42. Mr. Boadi attributed this downward trend to weak enforcement mechanisms, limited transparency and absence of robust accountability systems.
“Public trust continues to be eroded because officials are rarely held accountable in a meaningful way,” he noted.

Pass Conduct of Public Officers bill

Addressing further structural challenges, Mr. Boadi pointed to the outdated asset declaration regime as another critical gap in the country’s anti-corruption framework.
“Our asset declaration laws have outlived their usefulness. There is no system for verification, no public disclosure and no consequences for false or incomplete declarations. This loophole must be closed,” he said.

He reiterated the urgent need for parliament to pass a Conduct of Public Officers bill that seeks to reform the asset declaration process by introducing verification mechanisms and mandating publication of declared assets.

“This legislation is key to deterring illicit enrichment and restoring public confidence in governance,” Mr. Boadi added.

Address campaign financing loopholes

The forum also highlighted political campaign financing’s role in sustaining corruption. According to Mr. Boadi, the high cost of running for office pushes candidates to rely heavily on wealthy financiers who later demand political favours in return.
“If we are serious about fighting corruption, we must regulate campaign financing and make it transparent. Otherwise, every election becomes an investment for private gain,” he warned.

Unlike many such events typically hosted in Accra, this forum was held in Kumasi as part of a decentralised effort to broaden citizen engagement and extend the anti-corruption discourse beyond the capital.

In his closing remarks Mr. Boadi emphasised the importance of a national, collective approach to fighting corruption, underscoring the need for both legal reforms and a shift in public attitudes.
“We are in a period of resetting – not just our economy or institutions but also our mindset. Fighting corruption requires a bold shift in thinking and law. Criminalising conflict of interest is where we must begin,” he concluded.

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