Review anti-corruption legal framework to deal with corruption –Knights of Marshall

The Noble Order of the Knights of Marshall, a Catholic friendly society, has called for a review of the current anti-corruption legal framework to help deal with the canker of corruption in the society.

It said although there existed the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP), weaknesses and gaps in the country’s legal framework were making it either difficult to track and trace illicit wealth accumulation from corruption or adequately punish culprits of this heinous crime against society.

This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Standing Committee meeting of the Knights of Marshall in Sekondi on June 17, 2018, and signed by its Supreme Knight, Sir Kt. Bro Ambrose Yennah.

In reviewing the legal framework, it suggested that the country made use of best practices from other jurisdictions.

It called for the strengthening of the mechanisms for early and speedy reporting, exposing, investigating and prosecuting acts of corruption, especially in areas of Asset Declaration for Public Office Holders and Politically Exposed Persons, Beneficial Owners of Companies and Citizens Access to information.

Civic education

It called for collective citizens’ actions in public and private life to stem the canker of corruption.

“In this light, we commend and congratulate the interfaith campaign against corruption which was launched in Ghana recently with the acronym, “I-SHAME Corruption in Ghana” by the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference. We are very pleased that our National NGO, Marshallan Relief and Development Services (MAREDES) is an active player in this national cause to rid our society of corruption,” it stated.

The communiqué called on families, parents, guardians, teachers and religious leaders to restore integrity in the socialization and mentoring of children, wards and followers.

It reiterated the need to rekindle Civic Education that emphasizes morality and values of honesty, respect, truth, sincerity and service at the early formative period of children.

“We further encourage all Churches and other Centres of worship to exercise greater transparency and accountability in the management of resources collected from their respective Followers.

Abhorrence

It expressed its abhorrence for the evil of corruption which had become the stock in trade of most Ghanaians especially Public Office Holders.

It said it was saddened by the reputational damage that was caused to Ghana by corruption and its negative implications to the governance, economy and access to basic services by the poor.

The communiqué rejected the disconnect between what most Ghanaians express in faith and what they actually do in their daily lives that stood against the tenets of religion.