Federation Of Muslim Councils Joins CHRAJ To Combat Corruption In Ghana

ACCRA, April 13, 2017 – The Federation of Muslim Councils of Ghana (FMC) has declared its preparedness to partner the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to combat corruption in Ghana through the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP). The National Coordinator of the FMC, Alhaji Abdullah Showumi Williams made the declaration at a meeting with a high-powered delegation of the CHRAJ at the headquarters of the FMC in Accra.

In welcoming the role of the FMC as outlined in the NACAP, Alhaji Showumi Williams cautioned that the fight against corruption would be a nullity “if political leaders, the police, government officials, public officers and other high ranking officials do not themselves stay clear of corruption in their work places”, adding that employers must pay workers adequately and promptly to avoid tempting them into corruption. He noted, however, that Islam abhors all shades of corrupt practices, quoting Qur;an . To this end the FMC will soon be embarking on sensitization of its members on the negative effects of corruption, and train its key officials and Imams on the Whistle Blowing. He called on Imams particularly to use the pulpits to preach to their congregants to eschew all forms of corruption in their lives.

The CHRAJ delegation, led by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Richard Quayson, met with the FMC executives to brief them on, and solicit their support in the implementation of, the NACAP. NACAP is Ghana’s strategic response to corruption, which puts together a comprehensive programme to curb corruption over a 10-year period, and seeks to lay a strong foundation for a sustainable democratic society founded on good governance and imbued with high ethics and integrity.

In a presentation, Mr. Quayson noted that “the fight against corruption is a shared a responsibility”, with roles having been assigned to all stakeholders, including faith-based organizations. He added that as a faith-based organization, the FMC envisaged by the NACAP to, among others, provide leadership for the review of national culture and national values, and to help develop appropriate ethical environment for combating corruption. The FMC is also expected to encourage its members to hold government and public officers accountable by speaking against and reporting corruption and abuse of power by government officials and public officers. Concluding, he said that “corruption can be tamed, but it requires sustained effort and commitment”, charging that “we must unite the country around NACAP to help win the war against corruption”.

For more information please contact:
Hajj Muhammad Kpakpo Addo
General Secretary, Federation of Muslim Councils of Ghana

0246247722/0262403357