'Let private sector play active role in fighting corruption'

Mrs Linda Ofori Kwafor, the Executive Secretary of Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), has appealed to Government to include the private sector in its fight against corruption.

She said although some private organizations had been able to implement their corporate anti- bribery and anti-corruption policies, the sector to a large extent, was not actively engaged by stakeholders in the nation’s quest to fight against corruption.

Mrs Ofori-Kwafo made the appeal on Wednesday during a forum organized by the Business Integrity Forum (BIF), which is made up of some private and state organizations, with the core mandate to help fight against corruption in their business practice.

She called for more recognition for the private sector as it had contributed immensely towards the nation’s employment and had gained recognition as the engine of growth of the economy.

Mrs Ofori-Kwafo cited reduction in investment, and retardation of economic growth,. as some of the major effects of corruption to the development of countries, which do not put in place needed measures to fight it.

She said the GACC, in an effort to fight against corruption, was collaborating with a number of corporate organisations to promote a transparent and accountable business environment.

Mr Robert Agbozo, Co-Chair, BIF, said the Forum, made up of corporate entities, was created to enable member companies to learn from each others anti-bribery and anti-corruption policies to promote transparent and accountable business practices.

“It is also to help build basic self-monitoring mechanisms that would enhance compliance among members,” he added.

Membership of the forum include Vodafone Ghana, Guinness Ghana, Newmont Ghana, the Private Enterprise Federation, UN Global Compact-Ghana Network, Ghana Shippers Authority, Ecobank, Ghana Standards Authority, among others.

During an open forum, members called for more stringent punishment for corrupt officials, including the outdooring of rules governing lobbying, and also how to save Ghana's sinking image as far as corruption was concerned.