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Ghanaian President Mahama Fires Anti-Corruption Chief

November 4, 2015

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has fired the country’s Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). A statement released from the office of President Mahama stated that, “Mrs. Lauretta Lamptey has been relieved of her official duties and title following investigations into allegations of financial malfeasance.”

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has fired the country’s Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). 

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A statement released from the office of President Mahama stated that, “Mrs. Lauretta Lamptey has been relieved of her official duties and title following investigations into allegations of financial malfeasance.” The statement explained that President Mahama accepted the recommendations of a committee set up by the Chief Justice, and in accordance with Article 146(9), on the matter and accordingly advised Mrs. Lamptey to vacate her post.

Mrs. Lamptey was suspended in January 2015, following accusations that she had spent about $200,000 on rent at the African Union (AU) Village in Accra as well as $46,500 on the renovation of her official residence.

A few months ago, pressure mounted on President Mahama to act on the matter with civil groups such as the Progressive Nationalists Forum (PNF) calling for a full scale investigation into the matter.

A committee was subsequently set up to investigate Mrs. Lamptey’s conduct in relation to the allegations. The  committee presented its findings to President Mahama in September, concluding that Mrs. Lamptey was unfit to hold the position of CHRAJ.

The Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice was established in 1993 under Act 456 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. It is charged with the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms and the promotion of administrative justice in Ghana. CHRAJ combines the work of the Ombudsman and the human rights commission under one umbrella.