General News of Tuesday, 10 June 2008

Source: Chronicle

Govt is serious on fightning corruption

Deputy Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Frank Agyekum, has, noted that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government is serious about fighting corruption in the country.

He indicated that the passage of the Procurement Law, Internal Audit Law and other anti-corruption agencies would always keep individuals and organisations on their toes.

He said the NPP government due to its transparent nature has brought into force those laws to make organisations and individuals to be accountable and responsible for their actions.

Agyekum said this at a day's training workshop for Information Service Officers in the Central, Western, Greater Accra, Eastern and Volta regions at Mankessim, in the Central region.

He added that because the NPP was proud of its records and had nothing to hide, it has brought into being the "People's Assembly" concept as a way of bringing government to the doorstep of the grassroots.

Touching on the essence of the Presidential Palace, Mr Agyekum noted that the edifice would boost the tourism sector of the country, as is happening in countries like Burkina Faso and Benin, which have executive mansions.

He maintained that the Osu Castle can no longer be used as the seat of government because of its history in the slave trade and use as a slave dungeon.

According to him the former President of United States of America, Bill Clinton, spent some few hours in Ghana when he visited in 2000, because the country had no proper place to house him, claiming that President Bush spent two days in Ghana because he was properly accommodated [ate the new USA embassy].

He therefore argued that there was the need for the country to have a befitting Presidential house, adding that the Americans boast of the White House.

He charged the Information officers to go all out and explain government policies to the masses so as to make them understand what the government has achieved.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Hon Stephen Asamoah Boateng said people should not accuse government officials as corrupt without providing evidence. He also said that was why the NPP government asked people who make corruption allegations to substantiate them first.

He advised the Information officers to desist from partisan politics and educate the public on government policies.