Guyana among World’s most corrupt countries

Guyana among World’s most corrupt countries

Out of 175 countries, Guyana has found itself ranked at 124 on the Corruption Perceptions Index. That ranking has landed Guyana at the bottom of the English Speaking Caribbean and as a country where corruption remains a big problem.

The report on corruption was compiled and released by Transparency International. It is the 20th annual report.

Transparency Institute Guyana Incorporated, believes that “the ranking of Guyana on the 2014 CPI is just another international indicator which taken together with the local reality simply increases the public perception that corruption remains a chronic problem in Guyana of crisis proportions.”

Chairman of Transparency International, José Ugaz, said “Countries at the bottom need to adopt radical anti-corruption measures in favour of their people.”

Transparency Institute Guyana says it wants to see the urgent appointment of members of the decade awaited Public Procurement
Commission, the implementation of  laws to regulate election campaign financing, the implementation of a modern anti-corruption legislation and also the implementation of whistleblowing legislation. The organisation believes that those steps could boost Guyana’s need to combat corruption.

TIGI has also listed a number of other steps it would like to see taken to take on corruption in the country.

It wants to see moves made to

.        Enforce existing anti-corruption laws by investigating and prosecuting the corrupt;

·         Strengthen existing anti-corruption institutions such as the Guyana Police Force for example which is weak and unable to counter serious white-collar crime and corrupt activities;

·         Ensure that all public moneys are placed to the credit of the Consolidated Fund, and no public expenditure must be incurred without Parliamentary approval;

·         Ensure that all public officials in positions of trust are held accountable

·         Ensure integrity in public life

·         Stop the attacks, character assassination and vilification of citizens who have identified corruption as a serious problem that needs urgent and radical state intervention to stem its disastrous consequences for economic development.

The Government of Guyana has been very critical of the corruption reports in the past. And though there have been promises to root out the problem at every level in the public sector, observers say enough is not being done.

Transparency Institute Guyana wants other local organisations to stand up and be among those taking on the efforts to fight corruption. The release from the body stated that groups need to “GET INVOLVED in combatting corruption by speaking out against corruption and being proactive within its own membership on tackling corruption and by partnering with us for collective efforts.”

Filed: 3rd December 2014

 

 

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