Co-founder and former Executive Director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Prof. E. Gyimah-Boadi, has raised concerns about governance standards in Ghana following the ongoing dispute between the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and Labianca Company Limited.
The dispute centres on alleged questionable dealings involving Labianca Company Limited and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
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Prof. Gyimah-Boadi questioned the appropriateness of appointing an individual to serve on the board of a public institution while that person has private business interests that may create a conflict of interest.
He questioned whether it was proper for the President to appoint the Chief Executive Officer of Labianca Company Limited, Eunice Jacqueline Buah Asomah-Hinneh, who is also a member of the Council of State, to a public agency board.
He further asked whether there was a compelling public interest justification for such an appointment and whether the Council of State approved the decision.
According to him, if the Council of State endorsed the appointment of one of its own members to a state institution, it could raise concerns about institutional self-interest.
Prof. Gyimah-Boadi described the controversy as a reflection of broader challenges, including political elite influence and declining governance standards in Ghana’s Fourth Republic.
He called for the establishment of an ethics office or independent ethics authority at the Presidency, Council of State and other key public institutions responsible for decision-making and management of public resources.
Prof. Gyimah-Boadi is also the co-founder and Board Chair of Afrobarometer, a pan-African research network focused on governance, democracy and citizens’ experiences. He is a former professor of Political Science at the University of Ghana and co-founder of CDD-Ghana.
