Bismark Bebli
25 September 2008
WITH less than three months for the nation to go to the polls to elect a successor to President John Agyekum Kufuor and new legislators, issues of abuse of incumbency, violence and allegations of corruption, which have dominated the political parties, has caught the attention of the Ghana Initiative Integrity (GII).
Speaking at the launch of the 2008 Corruption Perception Index in Accra yesterday, the Executive Secretary of the GII, Mr. Vitus Azeem, expressed disgust at the level of allegations of abuse of incumbency and primary contestations, especially between the dominant political parties in the country.
"As 2008 is an election year, we at GII would like to take this opportunity also, to comment on the corruption practices of competitive politics.
"Election-related corruption takes many forms, including private entities providing resources to a party, or candidate in return for subsequent (or previous) benefits; vote buying and manipulation, and abuse of incumbency, where state resources are used for political party/candidate electoral purposes."
Mr. Azeem continued, "Primary contestations, especially between the dominant parties, have been fraught with allegations of corruption, not to talk about violence. Corruption has also manifested itself in the recent registration process, where under-aged voters have been encouraged to register to vote.
"Democracy is the loser, and chaos is the winner when electoral processes are corrupted. Officials, who are elected as a result of classical electoral corruption, or by abuse of resources, are less likely to contribute to, or create, a political environment of integrity, through accountability and transparency. The ultimate result, therefore of electoral corruption, is business as usual.
"This December, it is important that the people's choice is transparently and clearly made and respected. We expect honesty and integrity from our leaders. Ghanaians must also vote according to their conscience, and desire for a good leadership, and not because of monetary inducements or fear and intimidation.
"Once again, we call on the leaders of the political parties, to preach peace and call their supporters to order, and curb the isolated clashes taking place in some parts of the country."
The Ghana Initiative Integrity observed that though Ghana had done well in terms of curbing corruption by enacting laws among others, a lot still remained to be done.
According to Mr. Azeem, Ghana and other countries had improved upon the previous year's score and rank.
He said some critics may even argue that the situation on the ground was different from what their report says, especially with the current political party campaigns, throwing accusations and counter-accusations at each other.
The GII spelt out what ought to be done both by President Kufuor and whoever takes over the mantle from him, after the December 7 elections.
Mr. Azeem, on behalf the GII, urged the government to fast-track the passage of the Freedom of Information Law, in addition to ensuring that assets declaration law had been complied with.
According to him, the outgoing President, his Vice and all Ministers, must be asked to declare their assets before they leave office, adding that the incoming President, Vice-President and Ministers must also declare their assets as required by law.
The GII chief scribe further intoned that there was the need to review, to ensure proper monitoring and enforcement of the Public Procurement Act, to ensure value for money, and curb corruption in the procurement process.
Mr. Azeem supported by Dr. Audrey Gadzekpo, Chairperson for the GII, Mauvi Wahab Adam, a Board Member, Prof. Gyimah Boadi, also a Board Member, suggested that there was the need to empower and adequately resource accountability institutions, to investigate allegations of corruption, and ensure that officials found guilty of corrupt practices, were dealt with according to the laws of the country.
To ensure that corruption is fought without fear and favour, the GII requested that Ghana get an independent public prosecutor, who would not protect party gurus engaged in corrupt practices, adding that, "to ensure that the weaknesses in the Whistle-blower Act, 2006 (Act 720) are addressed for the adequate protection of the whistleblower and encourage citizens to take advantage of the law and save this country from the canker of corruption."
To achieve all these, he said there was the need for the separation of party from government, and to also ensure that state resources, including funds, vehicles, and employees, were not used for party activities."
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