Ghana must enact special laws to combat corruption – Ebo Buckman

In response the latest comments of Ebo Buckman on TV3 relating to how Singapore and Ethiopia have  passed into lawssol  to combat corruption, anti-corruption advocate Ebo Buckman granted an exclusive interview to provided further details on his position. He stressed that Ghana must take crucial measures to deal with corruption as a significant misconduct by  bringing stringent laws configured to mitigate the menace.

Ebo Buckman pointed out Singapore’s Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), which places the burden of proof on the alleged to have engaged in corrupt practices. This shows that when an individual is accused of unethical conduct, they must show they are not guilty rather than the prosecution having to prove guilt. He stated that “This approach has helped Singapore keep corruption at extremely low levels, ensuring accountability in both the public and private sectors.”

Using Ethiopia as a further illustration, Buckman said that the country has established special courts which are only dedicated to corruption cases to facilitate rapid and effective prosecution.Again, the legal framework of Ethiopia involves asset recovery mechanisms to recover misused public funds and properties.

He further highlighted the preceding effectiveness  of Ethiopia’s anti-corruption laws, which enables officials to investigate and take legal action against corruption committed for a maximum period of 10 years before it was passed into law.  He noted that “This ensures that past corrupt acts are not ignored, and individuals who looted state resources a decade ago can still be held accountable.”

Considering Ghana’s circumstances, Buckman showed concern over how politicians attain wealth rapidly unchecked. He said that “We are living in a country where politicians suddenly become rich, yet no one dares to ask how they made their money. They buy expensive mansions and luxury cars as if they were purchasing toys for their children, while the majority of Ghanaians struggle to survive. This must change.”

He talked about how the legal framework Ghana is ineffective  in dealing with corruption due to rigorous standards of proof, gaps in law, and extended court proceedings. He again said “If we are serious about fighting corruption, we must enact special laws that reverse the burden of proof in corruption cases, establish dedicated anti-corruption courts, and introduce stronger asset recovery mechanisms. No corrupt act, past or present, should go unpunished.”