Editorial – March 8, 2013 :
The Haitian Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe, said on Monday that his government has declared a war on corruption and demanded a transparent management of public funds as several dozen State functionaries and other accomplices await trial after being indicted on corruption charges in the Caribbean country, ravaged by a terrible earthquake 3 years ago.
“I want to make it clear for everybody and I really want to send a clear message that we will not tolerate corruption within this government,” Lamothe told HCNN in an interview. “We want transparency as we declare a war on corruption,” he stated.
Lamothe instructed all Ministers, Secretaries of State and other State fund managers to declare their personal assets to relevant authorities to prevent illicit enrichment.
“The people’s money should be invested in projects benefiting the population. it should not end up in the pockets of any government officials or other functionaries managing public funds,” Lamothe warned.
This topic is an undoubtedly an unpleasant one for many, for one reason or another. That is so because of the easy manner in which the practice can creep up on the perpetrators and those who may even unconsciously practice corruption.
But remember what we say is the simple recipe for corruption! It may only be simple for those people who have known nothing less. Some people were born into corruption, even those mind you who will righteously believe everyone else but they are corrupt. The recipe we refer to is: “Selfishness breeds greed, and those two together will easily result in corruption. Some add power, to the equation.
THE AGBOGBOMEFIA OF the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, said not long ago, Ghana, like other African states, despite the abundance of resources, was still wallowing in poverty due to the selfishness and greed of some politicians who put their interest and want for power before the needs of the people who brought them to power.
He stressed, “Selfishness and greed breed corruption, which undermines our development efforts. The worst culprits are politicians who suddenly become businessmen. The methods these political businessmen adopt in taking business from others or frustrating their work undermine our progress.”
While this African made these remarks the hope and dream following rituals and festivals was ‘Our Politics Must Bring Peace, Unity and Development.’
Many years ago the language of corruption was more prevalent than now, but the curse of corruption is no less serious now than then. One thing there is no admission, not publicly anyway, by any of our public about corruption in Montserrat.
One of the Commissions brought about by the passing into law the 2010 Montserrat Constitution is that dealing with Integrity. So far, the Commissions have been delayed from being installed for all kinds of reasons, with the Governor admitting that there is little excuse for the delays. One reason he gave was the difficulty he said had to be overcome was finding persons willing to serve on the Commissions, especially within the Diaspora. The problems with the delays we believe they are born out of corruption.
The latest information is that two of those appointed to the Integrity Commission have either been revoked or they withdrew themselves.
It’s been said before in our writings that no one person can be corrupt. It takes many persons participation. That Integrity Act needs action to clear the Legislative Assembly.
