Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin has launched the inaugural meeting of the National Integrity Awards Committee with a call to action for Ghanaians to uphold ethical leadership and accountability.
Addressing members of the newly constituted Committee on Thursday, June 12, the Speaker reaffirmed Parliament’s leadership role in promoting integrity and eradicating corruption, describing the initiative as a ‘bold declaration and a solemn reminder’ of Ghana’s intolerance for unethical conduct.
“Ghana is ready to recognize and celebrate those who stand for what is right, often at great personal or professional cost. At the same time, we must name and shame those whose conduct is perverse, dishonest, and a disgrace to our collective values,” the Speaker said.
The National Integrity Awards Scheme, as outlined by the Speaker, will serve two critical purposes: Honouring individuals—including youth, professionals, and public servants—who demonstrate exemplary integrity and ethical conduct; and Denouncing misconduct—through the controversial yet symbolic ‘Vulture Award’, which will spotlight individuals found to have betrayed public trust.
According to him, for true integrity to flourish, society must be willing to celebrate what is right and denounce what is wrong, with equal vigour.
Speaker Bagbin explained that the annual event will encompass a broad range of sectors in national life, including the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, Civil Society, Security Services, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), Ministries and Agencies, and Independent Governance Institutions. Whistleblowers will also be duly recognized.
The initiative first announced on the floor of Parliament on 29th March 2025, is a strategic response to what the Speaker called a ‘deficit of integrity in the country.’
“This scheme is a declaration that Ghana will no longer tolerate impunity and unethical behavior. Parliament is best placed to drive this change as a watchdog, a representative institution, and protector of the public purse,” he added.
The Committee, chaired by the Speaker himself, has been tasked with overseeing the implementation of the awards, managing nominations, vetting candidates, and safeguarding the credibility of the selection process. Members will also be expected to mobilize long-term funding through partnerships with government, private sector, and development agencies.
“The work of this Committee must reflect the very values the Scheme promotes – truthfulness, impartiality, professionalism, and fairness,” the Speaker urged.
Committee members have received the terms of reference and concept paper for review and are encouraged to provide feedback to shape the operational framework of the Scheme.
Rt. Hon. Bagbin stressed the need to ensure the initiative inspires present and future generations to uphold integrity as a core national value.
