Govt To Collaborate With Anti-Corruption Agencies - Vice President

Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday stated that the Government would partner all anti-corruption agencies towards the fight to eliminate or reduce corruption in the country. This, he said, would be done through the implementation of the numerous laws, strengthen the legislations and to increase funding to the agencies towards the execution of their duties. Vice President Mahama gave the assurance when he addressed a national conference on integrity under the theme, �Building a robust ethics infrastructure to promote Integrity in Ghana.� The Conference which was organised by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice(CHRAJ) and supported by the Danish International Development Agency attracted participants from governmental and private anti-corruption agencies in Ghana and beyond. It was aimed at consolidating the measures and initiatives undertaken to build a strong national integrity system and chart a way forward to reduce opportunities for corruption and rent-seeking. Vice President Mahama said government would also ensure that internal controls such as the implementation of the Internal Audit Act, Whistle Blowers Act and the Right to Information bill would be passed to help in the curtailment of corruption. He appealed to Legislators to also review the Assets Declaration Forms into a serious document for politicians and government officials to stem the high rate of corruption among those groups of public servants. �The Assets Declaration forms still have issues such as number of wrist watches, content of gold or diamond in them, number of refrigerators, which are basic and I believe the elimination of such petty issues and tackling more serious assets will help fight corruption.� He promised that the Government would also ensure that the Auditor-General�s Reports were followed up and ensure that all the recommendations were adhered to as a way of detering others from engaging in corrupt practices. �We as a government will also strengthen our international cooperation since we do not work in isolation. For example, cooperation between Ghana and her neighbours, Africa-Asia and Africa-Europe is all essential for the elimination of corruption.�