General News of Sunday, 10 November 2013

Source: GNA

BIA lauds dismissal of Victoria Hammah

The Bureau for Internal Affairs (BIA), an anti-corruption agency at the weekend commended President John Dramani Mahama for swiftly revoking the appointment of Ms Victoria Hammah, Deputy Minister of Communications, over her remarks condoning corruption. The BIA said the action of the President would send the right signal to all ministers and government appointees to note that, the responsibility of leadership require a certain level of discipline and not an avenue for making money. A statement issued in Accra by Mr Kizito Akudago, Executive Director of BIA and copied to Ghana News Agency said: “As an anti-corruption agency we think it is important the President goes further to investigate Victoria Hammah’s possible sources of income other than what she was officially entitled.” “This will serve as a deterrent to all government appointees who see their appointments and privileged positions as an opportunity to acquire underserved wealth other than serving the people.”

Mr Akudago said the dismissal of Ms Hammah was a good move because there is the wrong impression that the quickest way to make money is for one to join politics.

“Therefore all those who believe that joining politics is the surest way of making money will have to think again.

“Politics is about leadership and service. Therefore we expect all appointees to show commitment in service to the country,” he said. BIA is a centre for information gathering on public concerns with the aim of bridging the communication gap between the public and the authorities on issues negatively affecting the nation.