Focus on enforcing ethics, not just Code of Conduct – CDD’s Kojo Asante

Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante, Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has urged President John Dramani Mahama to go beyond the Code of Conduct and focus on public sector ethics and accountability.

His comments come a day after President Mahama, on Monday, May 5, 2025, officially launched the Code of Conduct, a framework outlining acceptable behaviour and standards for political appointees.

The move is part of a broader initiative to promote transparency and discipline within public office.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, May 6, Dr. Asante described the code as a positive step but stressed the need for deeper reforms that tackle systemic ethical lapses across the public sector.

“A lot of the things that the president will do should be around public ethics, which we are not trying to enforce,” he stated.

He pointed to constitutional provisions under Article 284, which bars public officials from placing themselves in positions of conflict of interest, as a potential foundation for advancing ethics in governance.

“There are some issues around the constitutional review process under Article 284, we can use to address that. But currently, the code doesn’t address them.

“There is also the public sector financial management laws requirement that public officers must comply with.

“But while it is important, it has to be made public so that we can all hold public officers accountable,” he stated.