Calls for scientific battle against corruption

Ho, Oct. 20, GNA - Mr Theophilus Codjoe, Acting Executive Director of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has asserted that Ghana's fight against corruption could only be successful through scientific approach to various mechanisms being instituted against the canker. "For us, it (corruption) is the no.1 problem because we have not adopted scientific approach to (fighting) it," he said, adding that countries that were successful in reducing the problem adopted scientific methods.

Mr Codjoe was speaking at a stakeholders' dialogue on the challenges and opportunities in the implementation of Whistle-blowers Act, 2006. It was organized by the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General's office.

"Ethical, religious, and moral approaches cannot tackle corruption whose effect on a country is like HIV/AIDS that can destabilize the body politic," Mr Codjoe restated.

He called for tough criminal laws to deal with corruption, "because nobody can be trusted to be honest, when it comes to its attractiveness".

Mrs Florence Dennis, Executive Secretary of Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, said the dialogue had become necessary because implementation agencies have expressed the need for a second look at the law.

"Whistle-blowing has both positive and negative effects. It also has the tendency to undermine authority and institutions if not handled properly. Thus its usage should be properly handled for the benefit of both organization and state".