Corruption: Gov’t must show strong political will — CDD

Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has underscored the need for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to show strong “political will” in fighting corruption.

In a statement issued and copied to Today yesterday in Accra on the International Anti-Corruption Day, CDD-Ghana observed that the day was yet another opportunity for Ghanaians to stand together in unison and fight corruption.

“CDD-Ghana wants government to demonstrate strong political will by vigorously enforcing the existing laws against corruption in Ghana without fear or favour,” the statement stressed.

It noted that the theme for this year’s global celebration “Break the Corruption Chain” must be seen as a call to duty on Ghanaians to put a stop to the scourge of corruption ravaging the country.

“Indeed, the message of this year’s campaign—taking back what was lost through corrupt practices is everyone’s responsibility”—has a direct link to current events in Ghana, as confirmed by the efforts of citizens, citizen groups, and government to retrieve monies lost to the nation through public corruption,” the statement said.

Corruption, according to CDD-Ghana, undermines common efforts at advancing human rights and achieving “greater prosperity for a country.”

The statement went on to add that: “corruption exacts its greatest toll on society’s most vulnerable people, and promotes poverty, inequality, and social instability.”

According to the statement, the outcome of the survey by the Round Six Afro barometer in Ghana on corruption was worrying.

To this end, CDD-Ghana urged Ghanaians, particularly managers of the economy, to intensify the fight against public corruption.

It further called on government to adequately resource key independent anti-corruption institutions to guarantee their independence and to promote their effectiveness.

“We further demand that the leadership of the anti-corruption institutions should be resolute in the discharge of their duties,” the CDD-Ghana statement noted.

However, the group commended government for enacting a code of conduct for public officials and also giving approval to the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan.

But while applauding government on such moves, the statement insisted that these initiatives and other anti-corruption laws were not sufficient to eradicate corruption.

“To be effective, they must be backed by principled leadership and commitment to operate a clean government,” the statement pointed out.