The Mills administration is considering a law to regulate the conduct of public officials. Officials say the draft Public Officers Conduct Bill, currently under consideration by a cabinet sub-committee should find its way into parliament soon. A Deputy Information Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, told Joy News Wednesday such a law will ensure public officers do not abuse their offices. He pointed out that the legislation “will also spell out conflict of interest situations and abuse of discretionary [powers]." The Deputy Minister in justifying the law said some ministers who are supposed to have supervisory responsibility suddenly begin to purchase properties that are under their care; with people buying bungalows that they were living in. “This is certainly a negative precedence and threat to public confidence on politics in this country,” Mr. Ablakwa asserted. But a law lecturer at the KNUST, Ernest Kofi Abotsi, believes the new law will not be necessary. In his view, the Constitution already has extensive provisions meant to regulate the conduct of public office holders. “Therefore, I don’t really see the necessity of us promulgating a new law to regulate the conduct of public officers.” Mr. Abotsi said the government’s decision must have been influenced by the fact that “sometimes people tend to address their minds to statutes more than general constitutional provisions.” Source: Joy News/Ghana