A former Board Chairman of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Professor Stephen Adei has attributed the country’s delayed progress to the high level of corruption within the public sector.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show Wednesday, Prof Adei described the menace as “endemic” which needs to be eradicated.
“There is no doubt that the level of corruption in this country is far beyond what will allow us to develop as a country. It is very, very endemic within the public sector that it is almost impossible for genuine business to be carried out without encountering corruption in all phases. So, there is no doubt at all that the corruption is very endemic,” he told hosts Winston Amoah and Kojo Yankson.
Contributing to the topic, “Fighting Corruption the Right Way” on the show, Prof Adei said the time is due for every government worker to publicly declare their assets.
According to him, some people have taken advantage of the loopholes in the system to enrich themselves overnight, without their sources of wealth being interrogated.
As such, he explained that declaration of assets by all public servants will help the country tackle graft effectively, because it will empower state authorities to question individuals about the sources of their wealth.
“When people are perceived to be corrupt, I think we have come to a point whereby the leadership cannot say that ‘Unless I have evidence’ [the person is innocent].
“The level of corruption requires that we look at our laws and people must be made to justify why they are not corrupt. Especially, when there is some evidence, I think Ghanaians led by the leadership, should make it such that you justify your lifestyle with your earnings,” he said.
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