Bimbilla, (N/R), April 20, GNA - Mr. Daniel Batidam, Executive Secretary of Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) has called on people in the Northern Region to reduce conflicts since it gave room for corruption.

He explained that conflicts promoted opportunities for corruption as they undermined transparency and allowed emergency spending, which could be exploited by some people.

He therefore, called on people in the Northern Region to direct their energies and resources into productive ventures to enhance economic prosperity and avoid engaging in conflicts. Mr. Batidam was addressing traditional rulers, assembly members, members of religious and civil society organisations, heads of government departments and agencies at a two-day workshop to promote democracy and good governance in Ghana at Bimbilla on Thursday. The GII and the Tamale Ecclesiastical Province Pastoral Conference, (TEPPCON), both NGOs, which are into the promotion of good governance organised the forum on the theme: "Fighting corruption an agenda for democracy and good governance".

The 70 participants would treat topics on: "Manifestation of corruption in Ghanaian society, Enhancing good governance through effective decentralization- Focus on the District Assembly system and Civil society organisations and District Assemblies as partners for accountability and good governance".

Mr. Batidam told the people not to allow differences in their political leanings to break unity in the communities, saying: " We should not allow outsiders to come and redefine our relationship for us".

He noted that corruption was an obstacle to the development process of the country, noting: " What is meant for fighting poverty and development goes into individual pockets".

He observed that there has been a weak demand for accountability by Ghanaians from those either elected or appointed to manage resources of the country and this had encouraged corruption in the country. He urged the people to be more responsible and hold those in authority accountable by showing interest in government development projects, especially "the people must know the cost of projects and those executing them".

Mr. Batidam called on Ghanaians to de-politicise corruption since it has something to do with individuals and was also about motive and opportunity.

He called on the government to equip and provide logistics for anti corruption state institutions to expose those involved in corrupt practices while stringent measures were put in place to discourage its practice. 20 April 06