Media urged to do more to eradicate corruption

Assin-Fosu, (C/R), May 12, GNA - The Central Regional Director of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), Mr Frank Adoba on Thursday, urged the media to do more to eradicate corruption, by exposing corrupt public officials.

He observed that corruption was presently, widespread and shrouded in various forms, from misappropriation, misapplication and embezzlement of funds.

Mr Adoba, who was opening a two-day workshop, on the promotion of democracy and good governance in the country, also mentioned the misuse of official vehicles and equipment for private purposes and the exchange of envelopes before duties are carried out, as other forms of corruption. The workshop is on the theme; "Fighting Corruption- An Agenda for Democracy and Good Governance" and is being attended by 60 participants drawn from the various government departments in the Assin North District.

The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), an NGO and the district offices of the NCCE are jointly organizing the workshop. Mr Adoba, in this regard, called on the media to be more pro-active in the fight against the canker, stressing that democracy and good governance can be enhanced only when corruption is minimized. He said poor management practices and lack of effective monitoring systems and appraisal, coupled with bad governance and policies, also lead to corruption.

According to him, the situation whereby there are "wide disparities" in the conditions of service for public sector officials, carrying out the same duties, could affect morale and promote corruption.

The government should therefore, institute reforms particularly in the public sector by improving service conditions for workers as part of measures to check corrupt practices, he said. Mr Daniel Batidam, Executive Secretary of the GII called for a concerted effort on the part of all Ghanaians to fight corruption in the country.

He stated that issues of corruption should be de-politicised, for its effective eradication and appealed to the country's leadership to endeavour to exhibit transparency, honesty and integrity. Mr Batidam was not happy about what he described as a defensive stance taken by the government on the issue of corruption, and called on it to check corruption among government officials.

According to him, this was "encouraging more top officials to engage in the act" and called on the government to do more to ensure good governance and promote democracy in the country.