Gov't committed to fight corruption in governance - Kufuor

Accra, Aug. 17, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Saturday said government is committed to the effective maintenance of law and order within the society to fight corruption in governance, unite and harmonise the nation.

He said as successors of the Danquah-Busia tradition, government is also committed to wealth creation by the citizenry for themselves and the nation to the integral development of all parts of the country both urban and rural as well as enhancing the rule of law.

President Kufuor was speaking at a fund-raising dinner dance organised by the Busia Foundation at the Banquet Hall in Accra, as part of activities to mark the 25th anniversary of the death of Professor Kofi Abrefa Busia, Prime Minister of the Second Republic who died in 1978.

The Foundation incorporated in June 1997 was to preserve and disseminate the ideas, ideals and principles of Professor Busia, a pioneering advocate of the liberal democratic ideals of the United Party (UP) tradition of Ghana.

Other activities planned for the anniversary include a remembrance service at the Wesley Methodist Cathedral in Kumasi, a five-day exhibition, family gathering, wreath laying and tributes by political, academic and religious personalities as well as an inter-denominational thanksgiving service.

President Kufuor said Professor Busia's vision was that of a democratic welfare society in which everyone was his brother's keeper and his goal was to enable every Ghanaian to live a life of dignity in freedom.

"As a leader, Professor Busia intended to use political power to improve the emotional and material well-being of the citizenry and also to empower them to lead fulfilling lives", he said.

President Kufuor said in pursuing these objectives, Professor Busia was aware that executive actions and goodwill as well as hard work of the citizenry could not achieve much if corruption endemic in the society persisted and hence waged a relentless war against it.

Mr Kwabena Gyimah Osei-Bonsu, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation in a welcoming address said Prof Busia was a unique man with unique talents and during his tenure of office ruled with humility and utmost concern for humanity.

Present at the function was Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, the first lady Mrs Theresah Kufuor and Mrs Naa Morkor Busia, widow of Professor Busia and Honorary President of the Foundation.