NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY AUTHORITY TO ADDRESS NEGATIVE PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF CORRUPTION

published: Nov. 14, 2022, 12:09 p.m.

date: July 25, 2022

(July 25, 2022) The Authority has taken note of the survey on People’s Experiences and views on corruption in Ghana recently published by the United Nations Office on drugs and Crime (UNODC) in partnership with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and Ghana Statistical Service which featured the Authority. The Authority responds as follows:

The Authority is highly concerned about the reputational consequences of the report. It intends to engage the publishers to get further insights into the nature of interviews and evidence, if any to assist immediate efforts to reverse the negative perception.
Indeed, bribe-taking underlines the bargaining power of public officials whose position of relative power enables them to solicit payment in exchange for the promise of providing a public service, as suggested by the report. However, the nature of the Authority’s operations does not ordinarily put officials of the Authority in that situation of relative influence.
Further, the Authority notes an identity gap by sections of the public on its personnel and functions that may have influenced the perception. The Authority distributes safety materials, including reflective vests branded with ‘Road Safety’ and the Authority’s logo to road safety interest groups. It does appear that the public relates all such individuals wearing Road Safety-branded paraphernalia and their conduct to the Authority, which may have influenced this negative public perception.
The Authority reiterates its commitment to address the negative perception by interrogating the report to influence remedial actions with policy and public support to cure the negative perception.
The fight against corruption is a collective effort. The Authority observes a firm policy against corrupt practices and would not hesitate to take drastic measures against persons, including staff of the Authority, who undermine its reputation.
The public is encouraged to report any such misconduct through the road safety information Centre by calling 194 on all networks as whistle-blowing tool.

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For further information contact 024 4040615 or 050 1319079

Issued by the National Road Safety Authority