GACC Calls for Replacement of CHRAJ Commissioners

THE GHANA Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) has called on government to appoint a substantive Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
This it said is to ensure that the commission’s crucial mandate of carrying out administrative justice and anti-corruption are not duly disrupted by the resignation of the Acting Commissioner, Anna Bossman.
Chairman of the coalition, Rev. Fred Deegbe observed in a statement that “Ms. Bossman’s resignation coming soon after the voluntary retirement of Justice Francis Emil Short last December has created a serious vacuum that could seriously affect CHRAJ’s performance if steps were not taken to find suitable replacement.”
“The two pioneers of the CHRAJ commissioner post have unfortunately gone with the rich knowledge they acquired over the years, robbing the commission of their rich experience,” the statement said.
All efforts must be made to fill the gap as quickly as possible if CHRAJ’s operations are not to suffer,” it added.
Rev. Deegbe explained that the operations of the commission per Section 2 of the CHRAJ Act 456 revolve around the composition of the commissioners which is made up of a commissioner and two deputies.
Thus owing to the relevance of the position of the commissioners, the exit of the two commissioners has created a yawning gap in the administrative set up of the commission which is mandated to carry out unique diverse mandates.
“These are investigating complaints of violations of fundamental human rights and freedoms, injustice and corruption; abuse of power and unfair treatment of persons by public officers in the exercise of their duties, and power to seek remedy in respect of such acts or omissions and to provide for other related purposes.”
He further stated that the coalition is concerned about the practice of appointing high profile officers in acting positions for a long period and the dilemma such officers face.
“We believe it is desirable to avoid appointing these commissioners in acting positions beyond two months,” he noted.