The Director of Policy Engagements at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has expressed worry over a major loophole in the gift policy announced in President John Mahama’s new code of conduct for appointees.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante warned that without urgent revision, the policy could be manipulated by officials to receive high-value gifts while staying within the formal rules.
“There is international best practice of like not more than $50,” he noted.
“So we have to adapt it, of course, to our own scenario. But certainly, ¢20,000 is almost over $1,000. That is significant.”
Dr. Asante expressed deep concern about the vagueness in the threshold and its cumulative implications.
“Is this ¢20,000 the total for the year, or what?” he asked.
“Because I can basically be giving you ¢20,000 every month for 12 months. And every time the appointee receives it, it’s under ¢20,000 and therefore it’s within the rules.”
He described this loophole as a ticking time bomb.
“There are many problems with the gift procedure that has been put together,” he said.
“I think they were trying to maybe strike some sort of a balance. But as I said, the objective is not to create value that then creates or incentivises conflict of interest situations.”
Dr. Asante emphasised that in governance, appearance matters just as much as actual impropriety.
“On many occasions, it is very difficult to monitor and also determine the intention of the person who’s giving the gift,” he said. “So you try to just avoid it. Don’t create a situation for people at all.”
He urged the drafters of the code to rethink their approach.
“That definitely has to be revised,” he declared. “You’re creating opportunity for people to exploit the system.”
His comments follow the recent launch of a code of conduct by President John Mahama, aimed at guiding the ethical behaviour of public officials under his administration.
While the code covers issues of gifts, asset declaration and conflict of interest, analysts like Dr. Asante fear it lacks the clarity and enforcement structure needed to succeed.
He warned that if gift-giving is not properly regulated, it will continue to be a tool for influence and subtle corruption.
Dr. Asante believes Ghana must move toward clear, strict, and enforceable rules on gifts, especially for those in powerful offices.
“You don’t want to incentivise the kind of culture that we’re all complaining about,” he said.
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