People's Independent Movement lauds Obama's advice

Koforidua Aug. 19, GNA - The People's Independent Movement (PIM), a pressure group, has lauded US President Barrack Obama's advice over building of strong institutions and democracy and the prevention of corruption during his visit to Ghana.

The movement said it was a real challenge to intellectuals and politicians in Ghana and Africa as it was directly related to the handling of affairs of state after several years of independence. "After several years of political independence, Ghana and Africa continue to craft and practice a system of democratic governance and national development which prevent them from breaking away from their colonial past for the creation of a new order that would bring about true freedom for the people".

A statement issued by the PIM in Koforidua and signed by Nana Addo-Aikins, Spokesperson, said countries in Africa still practiced politics that was beset with division, confrontation, violence and intense political rivalry among other things.

It said this was in addition to a Winner-Takes-All political syndrome in which all power, authority, wealth as well as unrestrained enjoyment of privileges and advantages rested in the hands of the ruling government and a powerful few.

The statement said there had been no effective machinery to hold government in check and urged Africa to embark upon an aggressive process of structural transformation to address the problems of corruption.

It said the problems of democracy, corruption and institution building were structural problems that need structural solutions. "The on-going confusion and chaos in the politics and developmental process in Ghana, Africa and the developing world has been due to the failure of the nations to identify structural changes as the only solutions to their problems".

The statement said unless Africa united and put ideals together for strong sustainable and workable home-grown institutions of governance, they would continue to suffer colonial hangovers. 19 Aug. 09