By Freeman Brobbey Owusu(Dr)
Ghana stands at the dawn of a new era as we warmly welcome you back as President to lead our beloved nation.
The people have spoken, returning you to the highest office for a second time. Congratulations are in order, not just for securing another term in office but also for the trust and faith the people of Ghana have placed in you. This renewed mandate is a testament to the confidence Ghanaians have in your leadership and vision to “RESET” the economy of Ghana.
Additionally, allow me to take this opportunity to commend you, Mr. President, for your deliberate effort to ensure that the youth are well-represented in your administration.
By appointing a significant number of energetic young people into the government machinery, you have demonstrated your belief in the youth as key drivers of the meaningful change needed to propel Ghana forward in these challenging times.
However, as we celebrate this promising start, we must acknowledge that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. While young people offer fresh perspectives and innovative solutions, their involvement in government also requires vigilance.
The success of your administration will inevitably be judged not only by your personal conduct but also by the actions of those you have appointed to serve. History has taught us that the misdeeds of appointees often cast long shadows over the legacy of even the most well-intentioned leaders.
It is therefore crucial, Mr President, that you take proactive measures to prevent any misconduct, malfeasance or mismanagement that could tarnish your administration’s reputation.
In this article, I offer recommendations that you can implement to ensure your appointees uphold the highest standards of integrity and conduct, thereby safeguarding your administration and securing the legacy you hope to leave behind. While some of these recommendations may already be in place, it is crucial to ensure they are functioning effectively.
Establish clear accountability structures
Accountability is the cornerstone of any functional and successful administration. Mr. President, while you cannot always control the actions of every appointee, you must recognise that the public holds you responsible for their behaviour. The actions of your ministers, their deputies and other appointees will inevitably reflect on your leadership and your legacy. Therefore, establishing clear accountability structures is essential.
To achieve this, you can:
Create oversight committees: Set up independent bodies or commissions responsible for overseeing the actions of key appointees. These committees should include people with strong ethical backgrounds and should be given the authority to audit and review the work of public officials regularly.
Implement performance appraisals: Hold annual or semi-annual performance reviews for all appointees. This ensures that appointees are evaluated on their effectiveness, leadership and adherence to public service standards. These reviews should be objective and include input from a variety of stakeholders such as citizens, industry experts and other government departments.
Conduct regular audits: Establish mandatory audits for government departments and agencies that track how funds are used. Auditors should operate independently of political influence and produce transparent, public reports. The results of these audits should be publicly shared to ensure that citizens know how their tax is being spent.
Set up transparent reporting mechanisms: Design and implement a transparent system where appointees and public officials must regularly report on their decisions, spending and actions. These reports should be easily accessible to the public and allow for feedback and scrutiny. This ensures transparency and creates an environment where misconduct can be immediately detected and addressed.
By doing this, Mr. President, you create a framework where any misconduct can be quickly identified and nipped in the bud, to prevent further damage to your administration’s reputation.
Promote whistleblower protections
Mr. President, you need to encourage the reporting of misconduct to ensure that any act of corruption, fraud or unethical behaviour are identified early. However, for whistleblowing to be effective, there must be proper protection for whistleblowers to prevent retaliation.
To implement this, you can:
Establish an anonymous reporting system: Develop a secure, anonymous whistleblowing platform where citizens, civil servants and appointees can report issues without fear of retribution. This system should be accessible to the public and guarantee confidentiality.
Legislate strong legal protections: Ensure that whistleblowers are legally protected from retaliation, including job loss, harassment or any form of personal harm. Laws should be passed to shield whistleblowers from such consequences, and violations of these protections should carry serious penalties.
Provide incentives for whistleblowers: In some cases, offer financial rewards or public recognition to whistleblowers who expose corruption or serious misconduct. This will encourage more people to come forward with vital information that could otherwise be overlooked.
Create a whistleblower hotline: Set up a hotline or mobile app through which people can confidentially report any misconduct. Ensure that the staff handling these reports are trained to deal with sensitive information responsibly.
These measures would create a safer environment for whistleblowers and increase the likelihood that corruption or wrongdoing will be exposed early.
Implement a zero-tolerance policy for corruption
A strong stance against corruption is crucial to ensuring that your administration is held in high regard. Mr President, you need to publicly declare a zero-tolerance policy for corruption to send a clear message to both your appointees and the public that unethical behaviour will not be tolerated. This policy should be backed by swift and decisive action when violations occur, regardless of the appointee’s position or connections.
To achieve this, you can:
Set a clear example: Mr. President, lead by example and demonstrate your unwavering commitment to integrity. Publicly commit to investigating and removing anyone found guilty of corruption, no matter their position or connections. This will send a strong message that no one is above the law.
Enforce swift punishments: Once corruption is identified, take immediate action. The removal of officials involved in corruption should be swift and without hesitation. For example, establish a protocol for the rapid suspension and investigation of any public official suspected of wrongdoing.
Promote anti-corruption campaigns: Launch nationwide anti-corruption awareness campaigns to educate the public and government employees about the consequences of corruption. These campaigns should emphasise the importance of honesty and transparency in all public dealings.
Strengthen investigative bodies: Mr. President, you need to empower anti-corruption institutions, such as the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) or the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), with the necessary resources to conduct thorough investigations. Please ensure that these bodies have the authority to prosecute corrupt officials.
By setting a strict, no-tolerance policy, you will ensure that the integrity of your government is maintained, and that corruption does not undermine your administration.
Encourage transparency and public participation
Transparency is vital for building trust and ensuring that citizens feel that they have a stake in the decisions being made by their government. Mr. President, you need to foster a more open approach to decision-making and public communication to create an environment where government actions are held accountable and can be scrutinised by the public.
To achieve this, you can:
Live broadcast cabinet meetings: Consider broadcasting cabinet meetings or making them open to the public. While sensitive matters can be discussed behind closed doors, allowing the public to witness policy debates and decisions will demonstrate transparency and open governance.
Public access to government data: Make key government data and records available to the public. Enforce full implementation of Right to Information Bill. This could include budgets, spending reports, project updates and procurement contracts. By making this information accessible online, citizens can hold the government accountable.
Host regular town halls: Hold periodic town hall meetings across the country to engage directly with the public. These meetings will provide citizens with a platform to ask questions, voice concerns and offer suggestions. It will also allow the President to explain key policies and decisions in person.
Engage civil society organisations: Actively involve civil society organisations and community groups in the policy-making process. Regular consultations with these organisations ensure that the voice of the people is reflected in government decisions.
By implementing these measures, Mr. President, you can foster greater public participation and transparency, building stronger trust between the government and the people.
Institutionalise continuous training and ethical education
One of the key factors in preventing misconduct is ensuring that appointees have the right ethical framework and understanding of their responsibilities. Even the most well-meaning individuals can fall victim to corruption or poor decision-making without proper guidance.
Particularly, for the youth appointees who may not have enough experience necessary for navigating complex public service environments, continuous ethical training will ensure that they remain grounded in their commitment to serve the public good. Empowering them with the knowledge and tools to handle the moral challenges they may face will help safeguard your administration from potential pitfalls and ensure that the youths are not easily swayed by the corrupt practices of older bureaucrats.
To achieve this, you can:
Mandate ethics training for all appointees: Ensure that every individual appointed to a public office undergoes mandatory ethics and governance training before assuming their role. This training should cover topics such as conflict of interest, anti-corruption measures and public service ethics.
Develop a code of conduct: Introduce a clear and comprehensive code of conduct that outlines the expected behaviours and responsibilities of all public officials. This code should include penalties for violations and be a condition of employment for appointees.
Offer regular refresher courses: Recognising that standards and expectations evolve over time, implement refresher courses for appointees throughout their tenure. These courses should focus on changes in law, ethical dilemmas and the latest governance best practices.
Create an ethics office: Establish an independent office within the government responsible for monitoring ethical behaviour. This office should have the authority to investigate and report unethical actions and recommend disciplinary measures.
In conclusion, Your Excellency, you have been afforded a rare opportunity to cement your place in history as a leader who sought to empower the youth, build a more robust economy, and leave a legacy of good governance. The road ahead will undoubtedly come with its challenges but by taking proactive measures to safeguard the integrity of your administration, you can ensure that your second term remains focused on service rather than self-enrichment and is defined by success and ethical leadership.
As Ghanaians, we are all invested in seeing this administration thrive. Your legacy will be defined not only by the policies you implement, but also by the conduct of those you choose to work with. Your ability to effectively monitor and check the actions of your appointees will determine not only the success of your presidency, but also the lasting impact you have on the future of Ghana.
The youth you have appointed carry both the hopes of our nation and the responsibility to prove themselves worthy of the trust placed in them. With proper guidance and strong accountability measures, they can help you, Mr. President, fulfil your vision for a prosperous Ghana—where governance serves the people, rather than the other way around.
Congratulations once again, Mr. President! May your second term be one of great achievement, guided by integrity and the collective desire to build a better Ghana for all.
Long live Ghana!!
Dr. Owusu is an Assistant Professor of Accounting and Finance,Loughborough University, United Kingdom
