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Change mindset to confront menace of corruption - Rawlings

Change mindset to confront menace of corruption - Rawlings Featured

Former President Jerry John Rawlings has stressed the need for a national change of the mindset that limits the understanding of corruption to the misappropriation of funds by the public sector and

government-related persons.

Rather, he has stated that “it is important to restore the dwindling national moral fabric and keep it intact in the quest to confront the menace of corruption.”

The former President admitted that Ghana was having grave challenges dealing with corruption in spite of the progress made in other facets of national life.

Keeping the moral fabric intact

“Ghana as a nation has made positive strides to enhance her democracy, stabilise the  economy and engender growth and development. We have to confess, however, that we have grave challenges dealing with corruption. We tend to limit our understanding of corruption to the misappropriation of funds by public sector and government-related persons but it is important to appreciate the fact that keeping our moral fabric as a people intact and the appropriate mindset as citizens towards corruption is key to fighting this menace,” he said.

The former President made the call when he delivered the keynote address at the 2018 Ghana UK-Based Achievement (GUBA) Awards in London last Saturday.

Flt Lt Rawlings said Ghana’s role as a hub of peace and the gateway to Africa meant she had to contribute in diverse ways to make the continent a better place, stating: “The world can only hold us in high esteem on how much we connect to universal shared values of truth and integrity.”


He, has, therefore urged Ghanaians living abroad to transmit the quality of discipline and prudent management of resources they acquire out there back to Ghana to help curb the scourge of corruption and indiscipline which continued to engulf the society.

Conflicts, violence and injustice

For him, he has reached a phase in life where he should be enjoying life after decades of tireless service where he will be content to see his compatriots prosper and gain access to basic amenities and to see an African continent where safety, freedom and justice  is guaranteed.

“How do I experience any peace of mind when I see my fellow Africans butcher one another as has happened in countries such as Sudan, Nigeria and Cameroun? How can I not feel pain and anger when innocent victims, especially women and children, are mindlessly killed?” the former President asked.

Touching on the conflicts and violence in parts of the continent, former President Rawlings said too much wealth and power happened to be in the hands of many wrong people with some countries under the grip of unconscionable characters and their partners in the so-called developed world.

 

Former President Rawlings said democracy that was not based on the rule of law and freedom and justice would eventually collapse as experienced in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia.

GUBA and its Founder and Chief Executive, Dentaa Amoateng, received commendation from the former President for their recognition of the diverse cultural and economic potential of Ghanaians.

He also commended GUBA for its humanitarian roles in the areas of autism and support for educational institutions in Ghana.

Additional Info

  • Origin: graphic/GhAgent