Govt urged to fight against corruption

Obuasi, Nov. 15, GNA - Reverend Patrick Amaning Boamah, Obuasi District Minister of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana has observed that the Government could not salvage the nation from her socio-economic problems until Ghanaians develop positive attitude and become truthful to the nation.

Rev. Boamah who was contributing to discussions during an open forum at a workshop on democracy and good governance held at Obuasi said, "Whether NPP, NDC or CPP if we do not change our attitude, no government can salvage the nation from its problems." The workshop, under the theme: "Fighting corruption, an agenda for democracy and good governance," was organised by the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) a Non-Governmental Organisation in collaboration with the Obuasi Municipal Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE).

Rev. Boamah said, "There is no substitute for the truth and if we do not work in truth and honesty, there is nothing we can achieve as a nation."

On corruption, Rev. Boamah appealed to the Government to be steadfast in its efforts to eliminate corruption from the Ghanaian society.

Mr. Kusi Aborah, Ashanti Regional Director of the NCCE, said the theme was appropriate, because despite the Government's declaration of Zero tolerance for Corruption, corruption was still perceived to be high in the country.

He said corruption was a social canker that negatively affected democracy and good governance as well as the country's efforts at national development.

"Development of every nation suffers if the little resources for development is diverted into private pockets," Mr. Aborah said. Mrs. Linda Ofori-Kwafo, Programmes Manager of GII said available results from some surveys conducted in the country showed that the Government's efforts at combating corruption was not yielding appreciable dividend.

"The findings of various studies on corruption and the broader issue of good governance in recent times, all point to one direction - that there is the need for more proactive and concrete action by all stakeholders to stem the growing tide of corruption in our society," she stressed.

Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Antwi, Obuasi Municipal Director of the NCCE explained the importance of the workshop and said, it was being held at a time when there was an increasing demand from communities and the nation for a better and transparent leadership.