CHRAJ Urges Young Leaders to Avoid Conflict of Interest and Uphold Integrity in Public Office

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has urged young leaders to understand conflict of interest and uphold integrity early in their leadership journey to help strengthen accountability and good governance in Ghana.

The advice was given by the Chief Investigator of CHRAJ, Mr. Sebastian Ziem, during the Upper West Regional Youth Empowerment Dialogue on the Rule of Law and the Fight Against Corruption organised by the National Commission for Civic Education in Wa.

Mr. Ziem said good governance is built on transparency, accountability and active citizen participation, adding that public office is a position of trust that must always be exercised in the interest of the public.

"Public offices are offices of trust. They belong to the public and those of us privileged to occupy them must perform our functions according to our mandates rather than our personal interests," he said.

He explained that accountability requires public officials to justify their decisions, management of public resources and use of authority to the citizens they serve.

Mr. Ziem encouraged citizens to actively monitor public officials and demand accountability, stressing that democracy depends on informed and engaged citizens.

He said knowledge of conflict of interest is essential because it enables both office holders and citizens to recognise situations where personal interests interfere with official responsibilities.

"If you understand conflict of interest, you will not only avoid putting yourself in such situations but will also be able to identify and challenge them when they occur," he said.

Mr. Ziem explained that conflict of interest can arise in actual, apparent or potential forms, noting that public officials should avoid situations where their personal interests, or those of relatives or friends, influence official decisions.

He said the constitutional code of conduct for public officers provides clear guidance on preventing such conflicts and protecting the integrity of public institutions.

Touching on gift acceptance, Mr. Ziem said while gift-giving forms part of Ghanaian culture, public officers must exercise caution because gifts may create real or perceived conflicts of interest.

"One can never always tell the intentions behind giving a gift, particularly when you are a public officer," he noted.

He advised that unsolicited gifts received in an official capacity should be disclosed to colleagues and handled transparently rather than retained for personal benefit.

"In situations like that, make a disclosure. Let your colleagues know, and together decide how the gift should be handled," he explained.

Where necessary, he said, public officers should politely decline gifts if accepting them could compromise public confidence in their integrity.

A student participant from NJA College of Education, Abdul-matin Alhassan said the session had changed his understanding of leadership and financial responsibility.

The student said the practical discussions on corruption, financial accountability and ethical leadership would help him perform his responsibilities as a student leader with greater integrity while preparing him for future public service.