Poor Attendance At Corruption Seminar

A five-day seminar for military officers and public sector institutions has ended in Accra with the Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr. Eddie Akita presenting certificates to the participants.

The course, which was organised by the Defence Institute of International Legal Studies, registered more military participants than the public sector and civil society although invitations were sent to both sectors of society.

Of the 30 participants present on the closing day, the military alone had 18 senior officers from the Army, Navy and the Air Force. A Superintendent represented the Police Service.

Some of the participants were disappointed at the turn-out because in their estimation the key public sector institutions and revenue generating agencies could have availed themselves of the opportunity to learn more about ethics and corruption, which was what the seminar was about.

Mr. Yaw Buabeng Asamoah Executive Secretary of Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) said even though the concept of the seminar was good the poor participation from other sectors of society was not good enough.

He was especially unhappy that both the Presidency and Parliament failed to delegate representatives to the seminar and remarked that it would have been great if all the stakeholders had participated to interact and share ideas with their military counterparts.

Mr. Brian O. Sapati Executive Secretary of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) noted that for the US Military to introduce subjects on corruption and ethics demonstrates its commitment to join forces in the fight against corruption.