The Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) has officially introduced a comprehensive Whistleblower Policy aimed at promoting integrity, transparency, and accountability across all its operations and programmes.
The policy, which aligns with Ghana’s Whistleblower Act, 2006 (Act 720), provides a structured framework that allows staff, volunteers, board members, partners, contractors, beneficiaries, and community members to report suspected wrongdoing without fear of retaliation.
According to ISODEC’s Executive Director, Mr Sam Danse, the policy applies to all individuals associated with the organisation, including employees, consultants, volunteers, interns, implementing partners, vendors, service providers, contractors, and community members who engage with ISODEC’s activities.
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The Policy,Mr Danse noted, outlines the types of misconduct that can be reported under what he referred as protected disclosures.
These include violations of Ghanaian laws and regulations, financial misconduct such as fraud, embezzlement, bribery, and corruption, misuse or waste of organisational or donor resources, serious breaches of ISODEC’s internal policies, threats to public health, safety, or the environment, gross mismanagement, abuse of authority, suppression of rights, and retaliation against previous whistleblowers.
However, the organisation notes that reports based on rumours, malice, or personal grievances are not protected under the policy.
To ensure accessibility and confidentiality, ISODEC has established multiple reporting channels. Concerns can be raised with a line manager, the Executive Director, the Chairperson of the Board, a designated Board Ethics or Compliance Officer, or through a designated whistleblower contact.
The policy was adopted by the ISODEC Board of Directors and now forms a key part of the organisation’s governance framework.
Please read the policy below…
Appendix to ISODEC’s Terms and Conditions Policy
A Whistle Blower Policy
- Purpose:
The integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) is committed to the highest standards of integrity, transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in all its operations, programmes, partnerships, and use of resources. This Whistleblower Policy, which is in line with Ghana’s Whistleblower Act 2006, Act 720 encourages staff members, volunteers, board members, partners, contractors, consultants, community members, and other stakeholders to raise genuine concerns about suspected wrongdoing without fear or reprisal.
- Scope:
This policy applies to all individuals associated with ISODEC, including but not limited to:
- Employees and consultants
- Board members
- Volunteers and interns
- Implementing partners
- Vendors,service providers and contractors
- Beneficiaries and community members who interactswith ISODEC activities.
- What to Report:
A “protected disclosure” of a good-faith report of information that the reporter reasonably believes show ones one or more of the following:
- Violation of Ghanaian law or regulations
- Financial misconduct, fraud,embezzlement, bribery, or corruption.
- Misuse or waste of ISODEC’s funds, assets, or donor resources
- Serious breach of ISODEC policies(g. conflict of interest, procurement, safeguarding, code of conduct)
- Danger to public health, safety, or the environmentarising from ISODEC activities
- Grossmismanagement, abuse of authority, or suppression of rights
- Retaliation for previouswhistleblowing
Reports based on rumours, malice, or personal grievances are not protected under this
protected under this policy.
- How to Report:
Concerns should be reported as soon as possible through any of the following confidential channels:
- Line Manageror immediate supervisor (unless they are implicated)
- Executive Director
- Chairperson of the Board or Designated Board Ethics/Compliance Officer
- Designated Whistleblower Contact(Sam DANSE, [email protected]; [email protected] or +233 209607558
Anonymous reports are accepted and will be investigated to the extent possible; however, providing contact details (which will be kept confidential) enables more effective follow-up.
- Protection from Retaliation:
ISODEC strictly prohibits any form of retaliation, harassment, discrimination, demotion, termination, intimidation, or adverse action against anyone who makes a good-faith report under this policy.
Retaliation is itself a serious breach of this policy and will result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal (for staff) or termination of relationship (for non-staff)
- Confidentiality:
ISODEC will treat all reports and the identity of the whistleblower as confidential to the extent legally possible and consistent with a thorough investigation. Information will be shared only on strict need-to-know basis.
- Investigation Process:
- All qualifying reports will be promptly acknowledged (within7 working days where contact details are provided)
- An impartial investigator (internalor external) will be appointed by the Executive Director of Board Chair (whichever is appropriate).
- Investigations will be conducted fairly, objectively,and as quickly as reasonably practicable (normally within 10-30 days).
- The whistleblower will be informed of the outcome in general terms (subjectto confidentiality constraints).
- False or Malicious Reports:
Anyone who knowingly makes a false or malicious allegation will be subject to disciplinary action, up to including termination of employment or relationship with ISODEC.
- Review and Communication:
This policy will be reviewed at least every two years or following significant legal/regulatory changes in Ghana. It will be communicated to all staff, board members, and made available to partners and stakeholders upon request. It shall also be placed on https://isodec.org
Adoption:
This whistleblower policy was adopted by the ISODEC Board of Directors and forms part of the organization’s governance framework.
Source: Publicagenda.news
