Support Fight Against Corruption and Illegal Mining – President

The president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has challenged the Ghana Bar Association and its members to support the fight against corruption and illegal mining to ensure the development of the nation.

He urged the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to assist by ensuring the speedy prosecutions of those involved in these illegal activities for the success of ridding the menace.

“I am calling for us, the Bench, the Bar and the Executive, to enter into a grand alliance to fight and defeat the twin scourges in the supreme interest of the Ghanaian people, he said.

He further stated, “if we do not get a handle on corruption, we will not be able to develop our nation. By the same token, if we do not win the fight against environmental hazards, especially the battle against the galamsey phenomenon, we will have no nation to speak of.”

The President made this statement at the National Conference of the Ghana Bar Association in Sunyani on Monday, September 11, 2017, under the theme “Saving the Future Generation from the Scourge of Corruption and Environmental Hazards – The Role of the Legal Profession.”

He praised lawyers for their good work emphasizing the responsibility of lawyers for setting the country on the road to freedom and national independence. He encouraged them to join the yet to be functional Office of Special Prosecutor in an attempt to take politics out of prosecutions of public officials for the success of the Office depends on their integrity and genuine commitment to the fight against corruption.

“We are in it together – the great, noble adventure of self-government, popular government, free government. Let us put our shoulders to the wheel so that future generations will appreciate our contribution to the making of a successful, democratic Ghana, which guarantees the liberties of our people, the institutions of good governance, the cohesion of our society, the wellbeing of the masses, and the peace and prosperity of our nation. The Black Star has a tryst with destiny. Let us work together to make it happen,” he said.

The Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Sophia Akuffo, also urged lawyers to adhere to the highest form of professionalism in the national fight against corruption.

In an address to open the conference, she stated that the country can only develop in an atmosphere of peace and unity so Ghanaians in the public and private institutions must work together, refrain from laziness and push for socio-economic development of the country.

Earlier this month, the Operation Vanguard taskforce had arrested 311 illegal miners. The Commander of the Operation Vanguard, Col Williams Agyapong, disclosed the information after members of the taskforce paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace.

Source: Jennifer Avemee