The Chief Director of the Ministry of Interior, Adelaide Anor Kumi, says the absence of a Code of Conduct and reporting Mechanism in an institution serves as a fertile ground for nurturing corrupt practices.
This, she said, leads to a drawback in the management of public finances.The Chief Director made this known in a keynote address on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery at the lunch of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) code of conduct and Mechanism in Accra, yesterday.
According to her, perception alone in an institution leads to the general lowering of morale and trust among the public. “This perceived ‘corruption’ becomes a more dangerous factor when an institution is expanding in terms of the growth and the expansion of its resources”, she added.
To her, experiences around the world have shown that, “if we do not get our basics right, the increase in our resource envelope will spell disaster, instead of providing the means for us to solve the many challenges that we encountered as a Service, by providing the needed resources for your work as a Service”.
Ms. Adelaide further made reference to one of the president’s pronouncements on corruption which says, “Government has fought corruption not in words, but in concrete deed. Our Government has protected the public purse, made institutional reforms, enacted additional requisite laws, and have resourced more adequately the accountability organs of state.
“Our fight against corruption has been grounded on legislative, financial and institutional action, and not on lip-service”.
Moreover, she asserted that the adoption of this Code of Conduct would be instrumental in promoting integrity, openness and transparency, among Officers of the Ghana Immigration Service.
The Comptroller General of GIS, Kwame Esuah Takyi on his part said the GIS Code of Conduct and Reporting Mechanism, is a document that focuses on the ethical behaviour of Officers and a mechanism to report Officers who go contrary to the guiding principles of the Service.
He quoted the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies in 2014, which said “commitment to ethical behaviour enhanced organization’s reputation, support harmonious relationships within the organisation, enhance relationships with third parties, manage risks associated with ethical decision-making, set out a standard of behaviour within a disciplinary framework, demonstrate effective governance arrangements, and provide effective ethical guidance and support”.
This, he said, signifies another fulfilled significant milestone achieved by the Service in ensuring discipline among all Officers and curbing or reducing unethical behaviour or the perception of corruption in the Service, in its journey towards a brighter and better Service.
Mr. EsuahTakyi noted that the new Code of Conduct and Reporting Mechanism has come at the right time to kick start a campaign in addressing specific public perceptions of the Service whilst instilling public confidence, partnership and commitment as well as the promotion of integrity, accountability and transparency.
