Dr. Kwesi Jonah, a Senior Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Ghana, Legon, on Wednesday said the Police Service and agencies set up by the government to check corruption should not be politicized.

He said this was necessary, if the country wants to make headway in its fight against corruption.

Dr Jonah was speaking at a public forum, organized by the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) in Takoradi.

He said the Police and the anti-corruption agencies would be able to play their expected roles in the fight against corruption when they are free from governmental and political control.

He said corruption is the bane of the country's development and must not be encouraged to take deeper root in the country.

Dr. Jonah said, "Corruption retards development and brings about inequalities in the society" adding that, the people must take collective stand against the canker.

He said the country losses huge amount of money that could have gone into development through corruption and mismanagement annually.

Dr. Jonah said the country's laws against corruption must be enforced irrespective of the persons caught by the net.

Nana Amua-Sekyi, Western Regional Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), said corruption is practiced not only by politicians and people in top positions but also by ordinary people.

She said lateness to work and taking home typing sheets from workplaces are forms of corruption.

Nana Amua-Sekyi said the CHRAJ would investigate all genuine and honest cases of corruption reported to it without "malice" but the commission would not consider anonymous reports.

She said whistle blowing is a means of checking corruption and the public should take advantage of it.**