The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace recently made wide-ranging recommendations aimed at eliminating corruption both in the developed and developing countries.
According to the Document published by the Council, the factors facilitating corruption include lack of transparency in international finances; lack of co-operation among states and the differences in their legal systems.
The Document states that corruption is also connected with other criminal activities such as drug trafficking, money laundering and illegal trade in arms.
While acknowledging that corruption has always existed, the Council pointed out the damage it causes both to richer and developing nations.
The Council highlights a long list of causes of corruption and the negative effects saying they compromise the correct functioning of the State, and have negative influence on the relationship between those who govern and the governed.
It points out that political corruption leads to distrust of public institutions and makes societies less just and less open.
The Catholic Church considers corruption as a serious moral problem, which distorts the functioning of political institutions and damages their ability to ensure the common good of all citizens.
Citing the Compendium of the Social Doctrines of the Church, the Pontifical Council observed that political corruption “compromises the correct functioning of the State having a negative influence on the relationship between those who govern and the governed.”
The Standard agrees with the Vatican Document that fighting corruption could be easier if the citizen cultivates virtuous behaviour and sees the fight against bribery and other corrupt practices as part of their task.
We recommend to all Ghanaians the prayer formulated by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference to combat corruption.
The prayer points out that those who are committed to the defence of their compatriots and the promotion of justice in this country should be prepared:
* Never to give bribes, under any circumstance whatsoever, no matter their need.
* To vow never to demand or accept bribes, even if this will deprive them of a job to which they are entitled.
* To commit themselves to combating any acts of bribery and corruption that comes to their attention.
In our view, political and legal measures are needed in the fight against corruption, most importantly, the will to implement measures against it.
As stated by the Vatican Document, the steps to combat corruption should include publicly exposing illicit behaviour, punishing the guilty and establishing ethical codes.
The note also recommends more co-operation between governments in extraditing criminals, giving the international nature of organised crime.
The Standard commends the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace for coming up with these wide-ranging solutions to fight corruption.
We urge international companies and agencies desirous of helping developing countries to genuinely help them but not to corrupt them.
Meanwhile, The Standard is concerned about Ghana’s rating of 3.3 percent in this year’s Transparency International Corruption Index (CPI) sliding two points from 3.5 percent it registered in 2005.
Even though the CPI ratings are perceptions, we should work towards higher ratings in fulfillment of Ghana’s pledge of zero tolerance for corruption.
Three point three (3.3) percent is Ghana’s lowest scored since it was included in the index and 3.9 per its highest.
We should emulate countries like Finland, Iceland, New Zealand Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland which scored low levels of perceived corruption with a score of nine.
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