Abuse of entrusted power in public office for private gain is corruption - GII

Mrs Linda Ofori-Kwafo, Programme Manager of the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), has observed that abuse of entrusted power in a public office for private gain was corruption.

She explained that corruption affected anyone whose life, livelihood and happiness depended on the integrity of the people in a position of authority.

Mrs Ofori-Kwafo made the observation at the opening session of a two-day workshop for 65 participants at Nsawkaw in the Tain District of Brong-Ahafo Region.

They were drawn from the security services, traditional authorities, the media, religious groups, traders, the physically challenged, assembly members, political parties and unit committee members.

The workshop was organised by GII in partnership with National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and funded by MISEREOR, a German NGO on the theme: “Anti-Corruption and Social Auditing, to promote democracy and good governance in Ghana”.

Some of the topics treated were, “Corruption at workplace, “Transparency”, and “Anti-Corruption”.

Mrs Ofori-Kwafo noted that corruption was likely to increase when people who were engaged in the act were allowed to go unpunished, attributing the cause to weak institutions.

She identified corruption in an environment controlled and influenced by conflicts in mining communities, saying “Corruption if not checked will lead to impunity”.

Mrs Ofori-Kwafo announced that GII, being the local chapter of Transparency International (TI), had established an Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre (ANAL) in Ghana to serve as a platform for the citizenry and corporate entities to participate more effectively in the fight against corruption by reporting cases of alleged corruption for necessary action.

Mr. Saaka Davies Kotomah, Tain District Director of NCCE, said accountability could not be enforced without transparency and the rule of law.

He pointed out that money, gift, favours and promises were the basic tools used in corruption, and advised people to play their roles in the fight against corruption.

Nana Amoah Sakyi Djan, Gyaasehene of Nsawkaw Traditional Area, lauded GII in sensitizing the people on the fight against corruption and transparency in accountability in service delivery in the country.