Germans resources SFO and ....

demands more fight against corruption

Accra, Nov. 29, GNA - The German Government on Wednesday presented vehicles and office equipment worth 400,000 dollars to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) as part of its support to the administrative decentralization of the outfit.

The donation channelled through the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) would fully equip 30 of SFO's working places with the most modern information technology equipment to make their work easier and more efficient.

The equipment, which is meant for the SFO's 10 regional offices include six heavy duty four-wheel drive cars, 10 air conditioners; eight photocopying machines; four fax machines; 11 personal computers and printers; 14 voice recorders; 12 walkie-talkies; six refrigerators; 15 stabilizers; 15 UPS; five metal lockable compartments for transporting keys and money.

Mr Peter Linder, German Ambassador in Ghana, who made the presentation, said Germany was ready to contribute to Ghana's fight against corruption.

"We believe that this is not only an important issue for our political dialogue, but should just as well be part of the practical support in the context of our development cooperation."

He said the support given the SFO was based on the SFO's potential to become an even stronger partner in fighting corruption. Mr Linder however called on the Government to take early decisions to enable some necessary changes, especially at policy levels that corresponded to the SFO Act.

He said the SFO had officers, who were one of the best and the most talented officers in the public service, and that there was still more to be done for them, particularly integrating the prevention aspect of corruption mentioned in the SFO's Act.

He gave the assurance that Ghana's development partners fully supported the SFO's efforts and was closely following the developments in the area of good governance and the fight against corruption. Ms Getrude Aikins, the representative of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice on the SFO Board, received the items.