“Naked corruption” with impunity killing Ghana – Catholic Bishops

Present-day Ghana is “openly and pervasively corrupt,” the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference encapsulated about the level of corruption in the West African country in their communiqué.

According to the bishops, the “twin-evil of bribery and corruption in Ghana” continue to ravage every fabric of the Ghanaian society, and that is worrying.

However, the clergy patted the government on the back for at least making an effort to curb the menace.

“People at all levels of society, including some Christians, are engaged in naked corruption with impunity.

“We commend the Government for the recent prosecution of some high level personalities in government and for setting up various Commissions of enquiry into alleged corrupt practices at high levels,” the communiqué issued at the end of its meeting in Accra Saturday read.

“We do think, however, that our Government could do more to nip this canker in the bud. Certainly, individuals and private businesses should do their part to end corruption in our country. Reports of corruption from the media and on-going national commissions of enquiry such as the Judgment Debts, GYEEDA and SADA, National Service Scheme and the 2014 FIFA World Cup as well as allegations of corruption in CHRAJ are worrying.

“We decry the mismanagement and apparent failure of these programmes and institutions and call on Government to do all it can to ensure that they deliver on their mandate. We also expect Government to act without fear or favour in dealing with those who will be found culpable in the reports of the on-going investigations,” it added.

“We urge the financial institutions, especially the banks, to beware of money laundering and the reported cases of cheating unsuspecting clients by some unscrupulous workers in the banks and financial institutions. We appeal to the Bank of Ghana to come to the aid of all those who lose their monies through some failed microfinance institutions,” the communiqué signed by Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu, Bishop of Konongo-Mampong and President, Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference stated.

It said: “Greed breeds hard-heartedness, theft, blackmail, bribery and corruption and even murder. Corruption encourages and condones incompetence, mediocrity at work and disrespect for higher authority as well as unnecessary bureaucracy. It drives away investment and leads to unnecessary suffering and poverty. We therefore call on all Ghanaians to make a serious self-examination of conscience concerning bribery and corruption and repent. We must all resolve from today never to engage in acts of bribery and corruption or condone the same.”