GII to Release Names of Corrupt Officials

The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) has announced its plans to publish the names of corrupt public officials before the year comes to a close.

According to the anti-graft body, that will be a Christmas ‘hamper’ to the entire Ghanaian populace, and is aimed at not only naming and shaming officials who have soiled their hands in corruption, but also retrieving taxpayer’s monies that have been misappropriated.

According to the Executive Director for GII, Mrs. Linda Ofori Kwafo, though Ghana’s Corruption Perceptions Index has improved slightly over the years, there is an increase in government-related corruption.

The 2017 Corruption Perceptions Index highlights that majority of countries are making little or no progress in ending corruption, while further analysis shows journalists and activists in corrupt countries are risking their lives every day in an effort to speak out.

For the GII, Ghana, apart from being unable to uproot corruption, has also relaxed its punishment regime, thereby indirectly encouraging more people and institutions to boldly engage in corruption.

“Ghana has not been able to investigate and punish corruption adequately….we need to put in measures to be able to address the issues,” Mrs. Ofori Kwafo said.

Speaking at a Multi-Stakeholder Business Integrity Breakfast Meeting organised by the GII and the Private Enterprises Foundation (PEF), the executive director said her institution is compiling a list that will soon find its way into the media landscape.

“Allegations have been made, investigations have been ongoing but we do not have the current status of what the investigations have yielded. So, very soon that will be our Christmas hamper to the government and to the public and to everybody,” she added.

RTI

Still addressing the issue of corruption, Mrs. Kwafo said it would be difficult for government to fight the menace if it fails to pass the Right to Information (RTI) Bill.

“The RTI bill is called the sunshine law…it brings brightness… When it comes to bribery and corruption, we need transparency and accountability to fight them…the delay in the passing of the law means they don’t want transparency and accountability,” she said.

The Meeting was anchored on the theme, “United Against Corruption for Development, Peace and Security, Role of the Private Sector”, and brought together private sector businesses, civil society organisations and the public.

By: Grace Ablewor Sogbey/ [email protected]