CHRAJ
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) was created in 1993 as an independent institution designed to protect fundamental human rights and freedoms in Ghana. It exists to build on and improve good governance, democracy, integrity, peace and social development across the nation. Such a role allows it to pursue justice in Ghana’s administrative system and fairness throughout society, which includes dealing with complaints about public institutions and investigating corruption.
As Ghana’s anti-corruption agency, CHRAJ has the responsibility to investigate and report cases of corruption, abuse of power and unfair treatment by public officials. CHRAJ is also responsible for coordinating the country’s National Anti-Corruption Action Plan and with ARAP’s support, is the driving force to put it into practice across the nation. Holding such a function makes the CHRAJ a major stakeholder in areas such as raising awareness about the high costs of corruption and the benefits of a corrupt-free society.
This line of work is very much in line with the Government of Ghana’s strategic outlook on digitisation.
ARAP Steering Committee members gathered online in Ghana, Spain and the UK for the 15th coordination meeting.
NACAP Coordination
Ghana’s National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) is the framework to combat corruption and strengthen accountability in Ghana. It includes the participation of hundreds of Implementing Partners (IPs) - including all ARAP stakeholders - from the public and private sectors, civil society, media and Parliament.
ARAP supports CHRAJ (the NACAP coordinator) to promote the NACAP vision and joint fight against corruption, by engaging the IPs in its annual planning and reporting.
Implementing Direct NACAP Mandates
In addition to its coordinator role, CHRAJ has a specific NACAP mandate relating to prevention and enforcement. Ensuring accountability and transparency in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors can be addressed for example through systematic investigations into institutions at risk of corruption. CHRAJ can also directly investigate corruption cases.
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