Posts

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Applauding the Forestry Commission for listening and acting

Who tells you that all public institutions in Ghana are weak, corrupt and mostly nonchalant hence are not fit for purpose?

Following my recent publication on 3 February 2021, in regards of the felling of neem trees by some Chinese nationals in the Wiamoase area, precisely in Kokoteasu, the Forestry Commission did not hesitate to contact me over the issue.

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Jacob Zuma faces jail after failing to appear at anti-corruption inquiry

Jacob Zuma, the former president of South Africa, faces a jail sentence after failing to appear before an anti-corruption inquiry on Monday.

Zuma had been called to give evidence to judges investigating allegations of systematic graft during his nine years in power. The 79-year-old had walked out of earlier hearings.

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Fight against corruption: Critical ingredients for achievement of SDGs

The National Commission for Civic Education has tagged public accountability, rule of law, good governance, efficient management of the environment and natural resources devoid of corruption as critical ingredients necessary for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The NCCE recounted that the targets of goal 16 of the SDGs was the call for substantial reduction of corruption and bribery in all its forms and the need for nations to develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

Ms Josephine Nkrumah, NCCE Chairperson in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Monday, explained that Ghana like many other developing nations established several anti-corruption and public accountability institutions for the fight against corruption.

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Ghana scores average mark on 2020 Corruption Perceptions Index

Ghana has scored an average mark of 43 out of 100 on the 2020 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International.

This left the country being ranked 75 out of 180 nations captured in the 2020 index.

The CPI draws upon 13 data sources which capture the assessment of experts and business executives on a number of corrupt behaviours in the public sector.

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The Difficulty In The Fight Against Corruption

Two major things, in my considered opinion, have been proven to be the major setbacks of development in Ghana and Africa at large: corruption and leadership nemesis. Both are complex subject matters one cannot exhaustively delve into with a single write up. I will leave the subject of leadership nemesis for another day.

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Is the independence of Auditor-General sacrosanct? – A critical review

The independence of the Auditor-General’s (A-G’s) office has become a hot topic in Ghana due to frequent removals and appointments by incoming or outgoing Presidents, and the recent clash of the A-G with the board and the board chairman of the Ghana Audit Service.

Importantly, due to the circumstances surrounding the appointment of the current A-G, the two main political parties have unfortunately become entrenched in ways beautifully described by a communication director of a major political party as follows: “They seek to undermine the constitutional office and mandate of the A-G by bringing in their usual NDC-NPP politics.”

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We don’t need new structures to fight corruption – Bright Sewu

The Head of Programmes and Deputy Executive Secretary of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition(GACC) has said that Ghana does not need new structures to fight corruption.

Bright Sewu said the country already has enough structures to fight the canker, however, these structures must be managed by leaders who can guarantee the independence of institutions mandated to fight corruption.

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Domelevo’s absence not good for government’s anti-corruption fight – Prof Adei

The chairperson of the National Development Planning Commission says government’s move to force the Auditor-General to take his leave, does not create a good impression for its fight against corruption.

Professor Stephen Adei is worried that some institutions would feel the impact of his absence.

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World Whistleblowing Day: AFRICMIL Calls For Passage Of Whistleblower Protection Law In Nigeria

The African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has called for the passage of a whistleblower protection law in Nigeria. In a statement to mark this year’s World Whistleblowing Day, the organisation noted that Nigeria is playing catch-up with an issue other African countries like Ghana, South Africa, and Uganda have formalized.

Since the return to democracy in 1999, there have been several unsuccessful attempts to pass a law for the protection of whistleblowers in Nigeria. In December 2016, the federal government introduced a whistleblower policy, which does not provide a legal framework for the protection of whistleblowers.

Different countries around the world are realizing the importance of whistleblowers who have been described as the “first line of defence against crimecorruption and cover-up.” June 23 every year is celebrated as World Whistleblowing Day to raise public awareness about the important role of whistleblowers in combating corruption.

This year’s celebration is coming on the heels of a global pandemic (COVID-19) that has created a great deal of anxiety and uncertainty for Nigerians. It has also highlighted the importance of accountability and the need for regular and reliable information from public and private institutions and officials.

“It’s for this reason that we need Nigerians to speak up and be listened to if they have concerns about health and safety, fraud or other types of wrongdoing in the public interest in the management of the COVID-19 crisis, said Chido Onumah, Coordinator of AFRICMIL.

“Nigerians need to know the truth about the spread of the disease to respond effectively and help protect their communities. Transparency is vital and never more so than during a pandemic. We encourage all citizens and workers to participate in ensuring our governments, corporate institutions, both public and private, remain accountable during this crisis and beyond.”

We celebrate whistleblowers in the country for their patriotism. They keep us safe and ensure that funds are not diverted when they speak out against fraud, abuse and corruption.

In the last three years, AFRICMIL has been implementing a project tagged Corruption Anonymous , supported by the MacArthur Foundation , which aims to highlight the importance of whistleblowing in the fight against corruption and the need to protect whistle blowers from retaliation.

Source: Chido Onumah (modernghana.com)