AfDB Sets Four Weeks For Independent Review Of Whistle-Blowing Policy

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB), on Monday, said that considering its electoral calendar into account, the proposed Independent comprehensive review of the implementation of its Whistle-Blowing and Complaints Handling Policy will now be conducted within a short-time period.

Specifically, the meeting resolved, according to highlights of the meeting of the group’s Bureau of the Boards of Governors on June 4, 2020, that the review will not take “more than two to four weeks maximum.”

regarding the whistle-blower’s complaint against Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the bank.

According to a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the bureau assured that the review will “be conducted by a neutral high caliber individual with unquestionable experience, high international reputation and integrity.”

The decision to allow an Independent Review of the Report of the Ethics Committee of the Boards of Directors relative to the allegations considered by the Ethics Committee and the submissions made by the President of the Bank Group thereto in the interest of due process, it said, was based on the need views of “some Governors on the matter and the need to carry every Governor along in resolving it.”

Members also agreed that within a three to six month period, after “the independent review of the Ethics Committee Report, an independent comprehensive review of the implementation of the Bank Group’s Whistle-Blowing and Complaints Handling Policy should be conducted.”

This, it explained, will ensure that the Policy is properly implemented, just as it would be revised “where necessary, to avoid situations of this nature in the future.”

The bureau said it agrees that the Ethics Committee of the Boards of Directors performed its role on this matter in accordance with the applicable rule under Resolution B/BG/2008/1 1 of the Board of Governors.

It insisted that the chairperson of the Board of Governors performed her role in accepting the findings of the Ethics Committee in accordance with the said Resolution.

“However, based on the views of some Governors on the matter and the need to carry every Governor along in resolving it, the Bureau agrees to authorize an Independent Review of the Report of the Ethics Committee of the Boards of Directors relative to the allegations considered by the Ethics Committee and the submissions made by the President of the Bank Group thereto in the interest of due process,” the communiqué noted.

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