Denial of corruption fuels it more - Zan Akologo

Mr Samuel Zan Akologo, Executive Secretary of the Department of Human Development of the National Catholic Secretariat has said that the continuous denial of the existence of corruption in public service was fuelling the practice the more.

He said the “Biggest challenge to fighting corruption in the country is the denial and asking for proof of corruption in public service by those expected to take action against it.”

Mr Zan Akologo said this at the opening of the 21st Denmark Seminar organized by the Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA), a Tamale-based non-governmental organization, at Dalun in the Kumbungu District on Monday.

The Denmark Seminar, which is an annual event instituted by GDCA, discusses issues of national interest and the general theme for discussion at this year’s event was “Corruption: A Perception or Reality.”

Mr Zan Akologu, who was speaking on the topic: “The Manifestations of Corruption in Everyday Life: How Do We Confront Them,” said to ask for proof of corruption before taking any punitive action was rather encouraging all to indulge in the practice.

He said people could feel corruption in various manifestations in terms of people who were well-known before assuming positions of trust or joining politics and suddenly becoming rich and acquiring wealthy property where the sources of the wealth were undisclosed.

He cited other forms of corruption in public, private and individual levels saying such acts were inimical to the development of the country as scarce resources were diverted into private pockets.

Mr Zan Akologo, therefore, called on those in authority to do more to fight corruption instead of playing the ostrich game.

He suggested a reduction in use of discretion in decision making in public service saying this was always abused leading to corruption.

He stated that corrupt people should not be given prominence in society nor be made to occupy respectable positions saying this would discourage others from indulging in the practice.

He reemphasized the need for high morals and integrity to guide people in public life, including reward for honesty as well as improved remuneration and end of service benefits for public servants to discourage them from engaging in corruption.

Professor Abubakari Alhassan, Gushie Naa (Chief of Gushie) and Chairman of GDCA, whose speech was read on his behalf, called on society to observe high moral values to avoid corruption to make more resources available for the development of the country.