Governance Adviser calls for political will to fight corruption

Mr Daniel Batidam, Governance Adviser, Office of the President, says the need to have a strong will, including political will, should not be a prerequisite only for political elite or government.

He said political will needed to be reflected in all citizenry’s work to support the fight against corruption.

“A strong will, including political will, is important in your work as heads of ministries, departments, agencies, civil society organizations, the media, private sector and the public”, he said.

Mr Batidam said this when he closed a high level conference on the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) under the auspices of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).

The two-day conference deliberated on topics such as; The National Anti-Corruption Action Plan, and Building Consensus on the Implementation of NACAP - Role of Stakeholders.

He said there was the need for Ghanaians to nurture and promote such a strong political will sprit that would help them fight the canker of corruption.

Mr Batidam however called for a concerted effort in the fight against corruption as its effects were broad and also affects everyone in the society.

Mr Bernard Asamoah, the National Programme Coordinator, United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime, delivered a message on behalf of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki-moon, and said corruption was a global phenomenon that strikes hardest at the poor, hinders inclusive economic growth and robs essential services of badly needed funds.

He said to dismantle corruption’s high walls, every nation had to ratify and implement the UN Convention against Corruption as it was a ground breaking measure in the areas of prevention and criminalization of corrupt people as well as practices.

“But there is much more to do, public services must uphold the highest standards of integrity and ensure that appointments are driven by merit, public servants, as well as elected officials, must be guided by ethics, transparency and accountability” he said

Mr Asamoah called on the public to help end corruption, and come together for global fairness and equity.

“On this year’s observance of the International Anti-Corruption Day, we call again on people everywhere to get involved in “Breaking the Corruption Chain”, he added.