One major problem Ghana has been challenged with, and has been seeking a lasting solution to deal with, is the canker of corruption, especially, among politicians, and public officials. The Member of Parliament for Essikado-Katan constituency and a presidential candidate hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has proferred a viable solution to the menance.

Being a former Attorney General, a former 2nd deputy speaker of Parliament, and an experience legislator, Joe Ghartey talked about how he sees an opportunity to deal decisively with corruption should these offices collaborate and work effectively. 

Contributing to a Statement on corruption made in Parliament, he called for clarity in the relationship between the Office of the Attorney General and Parliament when it came to fighting corruption. According to him, ever since he was Attorney General and Minister of Justice about 16 years ago, “the relationship between the Public Account Committee (PAC) [of Parliament] and the Attorney General’s Office has not been sorted out”.

Hon Joe Ghartey said, Parliament has a unique opportunity to clarify the situation in the new Standing Orders of Parliament that was being prepared, which will make a follow-up on all corruption related reports that emanates from the work of PAC through the Attorney General’s office for actions. 

He further reminded Parliament of its oversight responsibility over the Executive and said this could be used effectively in the fight against corruption. He noted that the Executive did not include only politicians but also public servants and reports from the Auditor General revealed that the vast majority of financial infractions was not from politicians.

For a long while now, Parliament has only been revealing the rots from the Auditor General but lacks teeth to bite. This suggestion from Joe Ghartey comes in handy, and would go a long way to assist in making the fight against corruption a reality.