The Centre for Legitimacy and Rule of Law (CLRL) has officially announced its launch as a non-political civil society organisation committed to promoting justice, accountability, and the rule of law in Ghana.
At its maiden press conference, the organisation unveiled its flagship advocacy campaign for 2026, titled “Release the Unclaimed Funds”, aimed at addressing the growing concern of dormant and unclaimed funds held within Ghana’s financial system.
According to data obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) request, nearly GHS 400 million in unclaimed funds is currently held by the Bank of Ghana as at October 2024. These funds, originating from dormant bank accounts, often belong to deceased persons or individuals whose families are unaware of their existence.
CLRL expressed concern that these funds remain idle and do not accrue interest, while many families of deceased account holders struggle with financial hardship. The organisation emphasised that releasing such funds to rightful beneficiaries could significantly reduce poverty, support small businesses, and improve livelihoods across the country.
The group identified several systemic challenges contributing to the issue, including limited public awareness, strict banking confidentiality rules, weak enforcement of inheritance laws, and institutional inefficiencies that hinder access to funds by rightful beneficiaries.
To address these concerns, CLRL is proposing key reforms, including:
Mandatory efforts by banks and financial institutions to contact next of kin before declaring accounts dormant
Requirement for account holders to register multiple next of kin.
Establishment of a centralised, publicly accessible database for dormant accounts
Stronger enforcement and regulatory oversight by the Bank of Ghana.
CLRL further announced its intention to formally petition key state institutions, including the Bank of Ghana, Parliament of Ghana, and the Office of the Attorney General, to take immediate steps toward implementing these reforms.
Speaking at the event, the executive director of CLRL emphasised that unlocking these funds represents an opportunity to restore dignity to affected families and ensure that hard-earned resources benefit their rightful owners rather than remaining indefinitely inaccessible.
The organisation also called on the media, civil society, and the general public to partner with them in advancing this advocacy and driving meaningful reform.
About CLRL
The Centre for Legitimacy and Rule of Law (CLRL) is a non-governmental, non-political organisation dedicated to promoting justice, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law in Ghana through advocacy, research, and public engagement.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
