Former President John Mahama has underscored the need to restore public confidence in Ghana’s institutions.
Citing a recent Afrobarometer survey that highlights widespread disillusionment among Ghanaians, Mahama emphasized the collective responsibility to rebuild trust in governance.
Speaking at the Good Governance and Accountability Forum on Thursday, October 31, 2024, Mahama outlined plans to review the codes of conduct for public officeholders, aiming to promote ethical leadership and enhance the responsiveness of the public sector to citizens’ needs. Mahama committed to passing and implementing the revised Internal Audit Agencies Bill to combat malfeasance in government agencies.
Reflecting on the past eight years, he criticized the current administration for systematically undermining the independence of critical institutions, including the judiciary and the electoral commission, for partisan gain.
He noted the detrimental impact on human rights and press freedom, lamenting the culture of fear that has led to self-censorship among journalists.
Despite these challenges, Mahama expressed optimism about the potential for change under his leadership.
He pledged to work collaboratively with civil society, traditional leaders, and development partners to restore good governance in Ghana.
To streamline government operations, Mahama proposed reducing the number of ministers to no more than 60 by realigning and merging ministries. He also announced plans to abolish ex-gratia payments and address disparities between Article 71 officeholders and public servants through the establishment of an Independent Emoluments Commission.
In a bid to strengthen democratic oversight, Mahama called for the enhancement of independent constitutional bodies, including the National Media Commission and the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
He reiterated the importance of a robust regulatory framework for political party financing, alongside a commitment to complete the constitutional review process.
By: Shadrack Odame Agyare | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
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