I'm committed to curbing corruption-Rawlings

By William Nyarko, Durban, South Africa

Accra - President Jerry John Rawlings has told the global forum meeting to share experiences to combat corruption that he is committed to curbing corruption and stands ready to collaborate with broad based coalitions to curb the canker and foster equitable development.

He gave the assurance in a statement to the conference, which was submitted by the Ghanaian delegation, Monday to Mr. James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank.

"Corruption", he noted, "is wrong and immoral wherever it may occur. But for developing countries it is even more reprehensible, because it deprives people who are struggling to emerge from poverty of already scarce resources needed to fight disease, ignorance and hunger".

"Since 1979, I have been committed to the reduction of corruption in all facets of Ghanaian society and to promoting integrity in the management of public affairs. Human nature being what it is, no single effort can defeat corruption. Only sustained and consistent vigilance by all stakeholders in a better society can have a lasting effect".

Continuing, he said, he welcomed the growing international focus on the promotion of ethics, integrity and accountability represented by the ongoing conference.

"The Government of Ghana stands ready to collaborate with national agencies, the private sector, civil society and the international community to curb this canker and foster equitable development", he said in the statement dated October, 7, 1999.