Prof. Samuel Agyei-Mensah (with microphone) speaking at the event. With him are, (from his left) Prof. Joshua Abor, Dean of UGBS and Hon. Albert Kan-Dapaah, a former Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament. The others are Prof. Yaw Oheneba- Sakyi and Sole Commissioner for the Judgment Debt Commission, His Lordship Justice Yaw Appau
The University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has climaxed its 36th Management Week celebration with an educative and illuminating session on the theme “Accountability and Corruption: Building Integrity of Ghanaian Public Institutions” at the R.S. Amegashie Auditorium.
Opening the Management week celebrations, the Provost of the College of Humanities, Prof. Samuel Agyei-Mensah, who chaired the session, described UGBS as the best Business School in the country and the West African sub-region. He said the theme was relevant and timely in seeking answers to right the ills of corruption. Prof. Agyei-Mensah argued that to end corruption and promote development, there was the need to have a strong work force and equally strong institutions.
Speaking at the session, the Dean of UGBS Prof. Joshua Yindenaba Abor, said this year’s Management Day provides a unique platform for stakeholders to discuss issues of accountability and corruption in Ghanaian public institutions as well as make recommendations for promoting accountability and transparency in Ghanaian public institutions.
His Lordship Justice Yaw Appau, Sole Commissioner for the Judgment Debt Commission who was the Guest Speaker for the session, delivered the Keynote Address. He bemoaned the lack of accountability in public institutions adding that it serves as grounds for corruption. He argued that corruption is the antithesis of accountability and pointed out that the absence of accountability will definitely breed corruption.
Justice Appau mentioned the lack of sanctions, the admiration for and lauding of corrupt officials unwittingly by the citizenry, as some of the contributing factors to the upsurge in corruption. He therefore urged all, especially those in the public sector, to work with integrity and desist from corrupt practices.
A former Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, Hon. Albert Kan-Dapaah, made a presentation on the sub-theme, “Accountability and Corruption: The Role of Public Sector Financial Management System”. He attributed the rise in corruption to the absence of political will coupled with laxity in enforcing key accountability arrangements and procedures.
Hon. Albert Kan-Dapaah emphasized the need for the Auditor General’s Department to enforce its mandate to audit public accounts, and be independent in all standards so as to ensure a great deal of accountability in the public sector.
A former Auditor-General, Prof. Duah Agyemang who spoke on the topic,“Leadership, Governance and Public Sector Corruption”, said in dealing with corruption, there must be an independent state prosecuting authority, resourced and have the clout to prosecute all forms of malfeasance in the public sector.
He advocated a review of the powers of the Executive arm of government, as well as a review of their mandate to appoint heads of public institutions.
Other activities of the Management week celebration included a public lecture on Accountability and Corruption and exhibition by some public sector organisations to showcase their services to the general public.
The session was attended by past and present officials of the University, faculty, staff, students, members of the general public and the media.
