Ghana’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) saved the nation over GH¢273 million in 2024, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has revealed.
He credited PAC’s strong oversight of public institutions for this achievement, adding that the committee made 252 recommendations to improve accountability and transparency.
Bagbin disclosed this during a meeting with the African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption (AUABC) on Monday, June 2, in Parliament House, Accra. The AUABC is visiting Ghana to assess the country’s progress in implementing the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.
As part of the review, the AUABC will meet with CHRAJ, civil society groups, and other anti-corruption bodies to share insights and identify challenges.
Bagbin highlighted Ghana’s commitment to fighting corruption through reforms and key legislation. He cited the Zero Tolerance for Corruption policy (2001), the Anti-Money Laundering Act, the Whistleblower Act, and the Right to Information Act. He also mentioned the creation of EOCO and the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
“Parliament has led these efforts,” he stated. He noted several reforms within the House, such as the introduction of a Code of Conduct for MPs and staff, updated Standing Orders, and the formation of a dedicated anti-corruption department.
Additional structures like the Privileges Committee, Ethics and Standards Office, and Office of Profits have also been created to enforce ethical conduct. Parliament has also set up a Citizens Bureau to allow the public and CSOs to petition lawmakers.
Bagbin, who also chairs the Association of African Speakers, emphasized Parliament’s role in the African Network of Parliamentarians for good governance.
AU Advisory Board Chair Seynabou Ndiaye Diakhatè praised Ghana for its leadership in anti-corruption. She noted that countries ratifying the AU Convention must undergo periodic reviews. She expressed confidence that Ghana’s review would enhance its anti-graft institutions.
The AU adopted the anti-corruption convention on July 11, 2003, in Maputo, Mozambique. It continues to serve as a key framework in the fight against corruption across Africa.
