The U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Stephanie Sullivan, has made a strong case for Ghana to take her corruption fight to levels where people caught indulging in the practice face heavy sanctions.
According to Stephanie Sullivan, the high perception of corruption among state institutions has the potential to affect the business confidence of investors.
The Transparency International (TI) in January this year, ranked Ghana 78 out of 180 countries on the 2018 global Corruption Perception Index (CPI). According to the report, Ghana scored 41 out of a possible clean score of 100, with the score showing that Ghana’s performance had improved by one point from its 2017 score of 40.
While several factors including policies and initiatives by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) have been alleged to account for this improvement, some Ghanaians maintain government is losing the fight on the ground.
Speaking at a public forum on the “Cost of corruption in Ghana - deliberations for remedy”, the Ambassador urged authorities to crack the whip and punish corrupt persons to restore confidence in the system.
“Corruption is not a victimless crime, it actually involves stealing directly from people. Globally, corruption cost 5% of GDP, it increases the cost of doing business and reduces investment in countries perceived to be generally corrupt. Under the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, American companies are forbidden from engaging in bribery and corruption under penalty of our laws which are vigorously enforced.
“West Africa loses 1.95 billion US dollars each year in the illicit trading in fisheries and other marine resources alone. On top of that, illegal mining, logging and wildlife trafficking cause nations and citizens even more.
“As we discuss this in small groups following this encounter, we ask Ghanaians not to admire the problem but to deliberate on what is working well, what can be strengthened and how and what additional actionable measures can be put in place going forward.”
Backing the call by the U.S. Ambassador, the Dutch Ambassador to Ghana, Ron Strikker, advocated the use of investigative journalism as a key tool to unearthing corruption.
“Investigative journalism really helps. I see this in my own country where it's not always only corruption that is targeted but mismanagement of funds. Journalists investigating may take time and of course, it takes a lot of effort but it is important that something come to the light. We all know corruption does not like or accept light, doesn’t like transparency so if journalists come to the point to investigate issues and bring things to the forefront, it will really help in the fight,” Ron Strikker concluded.
Source: myjoyonline.com
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
She is coming out with that point because Anas has complained to them(US) about the current heat of air people are blowing at him "Anas". And the state has removed his security from him and some of the privileges he(Anas) enjoyed before. She needs to shut her mouth because she can not dictate to us what we as a country should do. Now we all know Anas what Anas does. We all aware of his evil and criminality. Anas cup is full thanks to the firebrand MP.
Dzi wo fie as3m and go tell Donnie Trump to check his excesses and corruption. He is stealing from America for his kids and cronies. Which US President has daughter and son in law as Senior Policy Advisors with offices at the White House. It may be true but as a Sovereign country we have our own institutions to deal with these issues, if you will not invest please go away. You invest and take all the money away through Chief of Party and US institutions and consultants, awie
Since when did you become an advisor to the Sovereign Nation of Ghana Madam Ambassador. The chap for who yous serve and for whose party you belong is facing impeachment in the Great United States of America. a humiliating end to an autocratic, unrefined bully of a man and president and you run your mouth on the affairs of Ghana? aaaaaba! Get a grip maaam!. Advice the disgraced and corrupt Donald Trump two has single-handedly dragged the name and reputation of USA into disrepute to lay of 16-year-old Greta Thunberg before coming to advise Ghana. We don't need colonial masters or mistresses like you.
There are no investigative journalists in Ghana without blemish, that is why we have who watches the watchman in Ghana. The one who claims to be investigative journalist is even doing the worse, please, don't mention anything like investigative journalist in Ghana.
who is more corrupt than your government? ***barred word***....u get offended when you dont get it your way....The new Africa will not succumb to your bull ***barred word*** shiiiii.....impeach Donald and stay away from us... and oh! by the way we dont need your investments