Corruption in this country has been a matter of concern to many a well-meaning Ghanaian who regularly bemoan this canker in our society.
For example, in July this year, no less a person than the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Accra Archdiocese of the Catholic Church, Most Reverend Father Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, in a sermon during a pastoral visit to St Paul Catholic Church at Kpehe in Accra, complained about corruption in Ghana.
The following are excerpts of what he said: �There is petty thievery and corruption in every sector of the Ghanaian society, from schools, hospitals, government sector, security services and even at the marketplaces.
�Teachers are charging fees for extra classes after failing to teach during regular hours; hospital officials are demanding money before attending to patients even in emergency situations whilst government workers use working hours and resources to perform social functions at the detriment of the nation.�
Other prominent Ghanaians have made similar comments yet the problem persists.
It is in line with the sentiments expressed about corruption in this country that The Finder welcomes Tuesday�s call in Takoradi by the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) on the private sector to put in place anti-corruption policies for the growth and profitability of their businesses.
We have taken this position because corruption undermines businesses just as corruption in the marketplace undermines fairness and competition, which tend to result in loss of market opportunities and business reputation as it increases the cost of doing business.
It is not for nothing that corruption all over the world is being frowned upon. It is because corruption negatively affects a people�s ability to innovate, to motivate and to work hard � especially in the public sector where the scale and scope of corruption is staggering, thus leading to nepotism, bribery, fraud and embezzlement � that is why it must be condemned.
The Finder strongly recommends, especially for those in the private sector, that they should ensure that their employees are educated on the country�s bribery and corruption laws such as the Public Procurement Act, Internal Audit Agency Act, the Whistleblowers Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
It is our belief that this will enable people realise that they do not have to pay officials for work that they take monthly salaries for.
In stating this position, we do know that one does not have to work in a government institution or be a Member of Parliament to be corrupt because we know also that one is corrupt when he or she abuses entrusted power for private gain or abuse public office for personal gain.
Either way, corruption is bad for this country and all must endeavour to stop it or bring it down to its lowest point.
Source: The Finder
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