Economic policy analyst Senyo Hosi is urging government officials to be mindful not only of actual conflicts of interest, but also the perception of conflict, as public scrutiny intensifies over state contracts.
Speaking on the issue on the KeyPoints with Alfred Ocansey, Mr. Hosi stressed that the debate should go beyond whether wrongdoing has occurred, to how actions by public officials are interpreted.
“More important than whether there is an actual conflict is how it appears to the public,” he said on March 28.
Mr Hosi was contributing to discussion on whether or not President John Mahama’s use of his brother’s private jet for official travels, constitutes conflict of interest.
This comes after members of the Minority in Parliament announced that they will petition the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) over the matter.
He explained that even in situations where no rules have been breached, public officials must conduct themselves in a way that avoids raising doubts about fairness and integrity.
“There is a need for government officials to be conscious of these perceptions and act accordingly,” he noted.
Mr. Hosi also addressed concerns about individuals linked to government benefiting from state-related opportunities, emphasizing that competence and capacity should not be overlooked.
He pointed out that Ghana must also prioritise building and supporting strong local businesses capable of delivering on major national projects.
“We should be proud to see Ghanaian companies with the capacity to handle large-scale projects,” he stated.
However, he maintained that such situations require careful handling to maintain public confidence.
“You cannot ignore the relationship factor. It must be managed transparently to avoid questions,” he added.
Mr. Hosi further highlighted the broader need to strengthen governance systems to ensure fairness while promoting local participation in economic development.
By Christabel Success Treve
