The Committee on Independent Constitutional Bodies has engaged with key institutions to evaluate their adherence to established guidelines and review their financial management performance.
Appearing before the Committee were the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), and the National Media Commission (NMC).
Presentations and Challenges
Committee members were taken through detailed presentations on the mandates, operational frameworks, scope of responsibilities, and budget performance of the institutions. The institutions also outlined challenges affecting their operations, prompting questions from the Committee on internal review mechanisms, funding arrangements, administrative structures, and leadership practices.
- CHRAJ Commissioner Dr. Joseph Akanjolenur Whittal explained that the Commission currently operates in 182 districts nationwide. He emphasized CHRAJ’s determination to extend its presence to all 261 districts to ensure broader access to justice.
- NMC Executive Secretary Mr. George Sarpong highlighted persistent challenges within the media landscape, noting that it is not entirely free from governmental influence and institutional harassment. He urged the Committee to consider measures to safeguard media independence.
- NCCE Chairperson Madam Kathleen Addy pointed to limited office space, staff retention difficulties, and inconsistent budget allocations. She stressed that the Commission only experiences increased funding during election years, which hampers its long-term planning.
Committee’s Assurance
Acting Chairman of the Committee and Member of Parliament for Tema East, Hon. Isaac Ashai Odamtten, assured the institutions that their concerns would be presented to Parliament for consideration. He expressed gratitude to the institutions for their cooperation and participation in the engagement.
This development underscores Parliament’s ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight and ensure that independent constitutional bodies operate effectively within their mandates.
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