Rédaction Africa Links 24 with New Dawn
Published on 2024-02-29 01:16:00
Calls have been made for the Legislature to consider repealing the Act that established the Code of Conduct (COC) and replacing it with a new, more applicable instrument. The current COC has been criticized for its complicated nature, leading to confusion and lack of clarity in setting standards for public officials. This issue was highlighted by Cllr. Boakai Kanneh, the head of the Law Reform Commission, during a presentation on February 28, 2024.
Cllr. Kanneh specifically pointed fingers at the Supreme Court of Liberia for adding complexity to the COC through various interpretations of the law. He expressed frustration at the Court’s contradictory rulings, labeling some instances as egregious violations while others as substantial compliance. This inconsistency in interpretation has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the COC in holding public officials accountable for their actions.
One of the major challenges faced by the COC, according to Cllr. Kanneh, is the lack of enforcement due to the absence of the office of the Ombudsmen. This has created a gray area in determining what constitutes a violation of the COC and how it should be punished. In light of these issues, Cllr. Kanneh proposed the repeal of the entire Code of Conduct, including the conflicting views of the Supreme Court, to address the existing defects and uncertainties.
He argued that by repealing the COC, all previous opinions and interpretations from the Supreme Court would become null and void, providing a fresh start in establishing clear and unambiguous guidelines for public officials. Cllr. Kanneh emphasized the importance of upholding laws and ensuring that they are not abused or manipulated for personal gain.
In his view, the current COC is one of the most abused legal instruments in Liberia, with deliberate violations occurring frequently. He lamented the intentional bending of laws by individuals who should be held accountable for their actions. By repealing and replacing the COC with a more streamlined and enforceable instrument, Cllr. Kanneh believes that the governance of public officials can be improved, leading to greater accountability and transparency in government dealings.
Overall, the calls for the repeal of the Code of Conduct reflect a growing concern about the effectiveness and clarity of the current legal framework governing public officials in Liberia. The proposed changes aim to address existing shortcomings and provide a more robust and transparent system for holding public officials accountable for their actions.
Read the original article on The Newdawn Liberia
