Remove structures that corrupt---Abeasi

Accra (Greater Accra) 30 April ?99

Mr Kwasi Abeasi, Director General of the Private Enterprises Foundation (PEF) on Thursday called for institutional and societal reforms to fight corruption.

The canker is a national problem that calls for the concerted effort of the government, civil society and the private sector for its resolution, he said.

At the third in the monthly series of discussions with journalists on corruption, organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Mr Abeasi said, "a simple approach for an effective impact against corruption would be to remove the corrupting incentives usually provided by the private sector."

At the same time conditions in the public sector that encourage the public or civil servant to allow themselves to be corrupted need to be minimised or removed.

The fight must start "with an attempt at organisational and attitudinal change of the public service", he said

"Corruption also lowers compliance with construction, environmental or other regulations; it reduces the quality of government services and infrastructure, and increases budgetary pressures on government", Mr Abeasi stated.

"In all aspects of life let us start to make sure that those who perform or work hard are properly rewarded. Sometimes an ordinary commendation for a job well done could be an encouraging reward".

Mr Abeasi called for adequate remuneration for workers and suggested the enactment of a gift policy as it pertains in some countries to help guide officers in what could be acceptable as a gift and what was corruptible bribe.

Corruption could sometimes be more of greed and selfishness than to poverty, he said.

Nana (Dr) S.K.B. Asante, an economic consultant who presided urged the media to intensify their campaign against corruption.

The topic was "Corruption, private enterprise and national development"