Anna Bossman urges swift passage of Conduct of Public Officers Bill for ethical governance

Former CHRAJ Commissioner, Mrs. Anna Bossman, has renewed calls for the swift enactment of the long-delayed Conduct of Public Officers Bill, emphasizing its crucial role in fostering accountability and ethical standards across Ghana’s public service.

During an appearance on Joy FM’s Morning Show, Mrs. Bossman applauded President John Mahama’s recent introduction of a 2025 Code of Conduct for ministers and political appointees. She described the move as a positive gesture toward promoting integrity in governance.

Mrs. Bossman cautioned that discretionary enforcement, particularly where compliance relies solely on presidential will, weakens the rule of law. “Ethical codes must be backed by enforceable legislation,” she stated, warning that leaving enforcement to the president’s discretion risks undermining consistency and credibility.

She therefore called on Parliament to act with urgency to pass the Conduct of Public Officers Bill, which she described as a comprehensive legal tool for regulating public sector ethics. “This bill provides a structured and enforceable framework for ethical conduct—not just for ministers, but for all public officials,” she argued.

According to Mrs. Bossman, the bill has been gathering dust in the Bills Committee for years despite continued advocacy from CHRAJ and civil society. 

She further highlighted that the bill draws from years of work by CHRAJ, Transparency International Ghana, and international benchmarks, ensuring its provisions are both practical and aligned with global anti-corruption standards.

Mrs. Bossman’s intervention adds momentum to a growing chorus of voices urging lawmakers to prioritize the passage of the bill—transforming good intentions into enforceable legal obligations and bolstering Ghana’s fight against public sector corruption.