Majority Leader clashes with President over code of ethics for public officers

The Majority Leader in Parliament Dr. Benjamin Kunbour is skeptical about President John Mahama's plan to legalize a code of ethics to regulate conduct of public officers.

He believes that the law will not work because institutions in Ghana are weakened by deep-seated nepotism and favouritsm.

Dr. Benjamin Kunbour  is urging caution as government seeks parliamentary approval for the bill.

President Mahama in July this year launched the document for Ministers and other political appointees and urged them to strictly adhere to it, to avoid bribery, corruption and other malpractices.

Information available to Joy News suggests the move is linked to the embarrassing recording of private conversations by the driver of dismissed Deputy Communications Minister, Victoria Hammah

She was sacked after revealing her plan to amass one million dollars in her account before quitting politics among other scandalous comments.

The President is said to be compelled to seek legal backing to the code which will be extended to all public sector workers.

Majority leader Dr. Kunbour confirms this but warns the ethics may not work in Ghana.

"I always warn let's be sure that what happens in America can fit into our society of uncles, cousins and nephews", he cautioned.

Drawing comparisons with countries like America, the outspoken Leader of Government Business in Parliament says these societies have developed their laws to work impartially irrespective of who is involved.

This he says cannot be said of Ghana where the standard for upholding laws and meting out punitive measures are lowered when it comes to relatives.

He wants the problem of ethical conduct addressed from a social perspective instead of a legal one.

Kunbuor says "the problem we have is a social problem into which your democratic norms cannot sit easily with. It will not work".