AFAG calls for fight against corruption to be intensified

Like Oliver Twist, the Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), a pressure group, is asking for more from government to show potency in the fight against corruption. Whilst lauding government's decision to forward the Freedom of Information Bill to Parliament for approval, AFAG has urged President John Evans Atta Mills and his NDC administration to deal with the numerous scandals that has bedevilled the country's sports, the most recent being the Muntaka saga and the swindling of the national deaf and dumb football team.

In a statement issued for and on behalf of the group, two of its Spokespersons, Messers Henry Haruna Asante and Kwabena Bomfeh Jnr., a.k.a Kabilla, said “AFAG also notes with satisfaction the Attorney General's launch of investigations into the alleged disappearance of funds from an Account of the Local Organizing Committee of the 'Ghana 2008' African Cup of Nation's Tournament”.

AFAG is hopeful that all persons connected to the investigations will freely co-operate for a fair process to determine the whereabouts of the said funds.'

In the long-term, the pressured group stressed the need for a full and thorough review of the processes and procedures of Ghana sports administration, since according to them, “they are necessary to rid it of the unenviable notoriety”, emphasizing “the Sports sector of our country is too important to be left on its own, and this recent scandal is the third major one, after the 'Muntaka affair' and the deaf and dumb football team's competition in Australia, is one too many”.

AFAG has therefore urged government to deal with all findings within the emblems of the law, irrespective of political coloration.

It particularly congratulated President Mills and his cabinet for approving the Freedom of information Bill for onward transmission to Parliament for debate and passage since it sees the initiative as positive and thus urged government to continue the good work started by its predecessor.

Even though AFAG had expected the approval much sooner, considering the significance of the Bill to the country's development aspirations, it noted that “we are nevertheless happy to note that the approval by cabinet is a giant step closer to a freedom of information law.”

According to AFAG, “the fact that cabinet has approved the Bill and is awaiting Parliamentary and Presidential accent, add to the fact that Ghana's democracy will be an envy in Africa”, noting that this gesture will foster transparency and accountability in public affairs.