Government will continue to fight corruption on all fronts -Pres. Granger

Speaking at the launching of a new book by former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran over the weekend, the President said that the Government together with the public must commit to getting rid of corruption and to ensuring that transparency and accountability are the hallmarks of service.

Government will continue to fight corruption on all fronts  -Pres. Granger

Guyana’s President, David Granger has indicated that his government is going to step up and continue the fight against corruption.

Speaking at the launching of a new book by former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran over the weekend, the President said that the Government together with the public must commit to getting rid of corruption and to ensuring that transparency and accountability are the hallmarks of service.

“Some people describe corruption as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, but I think that there should be a more plastic interpretation. I do believe that the real sources of corruption are evident in other crimes; bribery, contraband smuggling, cronyism, fraud, graft, nepotism. These are all aspects of the monster of corruption. These crimes can escape detection because of the lack of transparency and that is why people like opaque transactions because it conceals corruption. They can go unpunished because of a lack of accountability and they can flourish because of weak governance. It is my view that corruption in Guyana is more widespread outside of government,” he said.

He noted that while there may be instances of official graft, Government workers are not the only “villains”, as corruption can be found within the private sector, in offshore banks and in tax havens. As such, a concerted effort by all is needed to tackle the scourge.   

“The public must play its part, the president said as he added that the international community must play its part to change public attitudes towards corruption and to allow for greater transparency and accountability”, the President noted.

According to the President, efforts of Government in improving accountability and transparency will be frustrated unless such efforts are supported by partners who play their part.

He said Corruption must be confronted and that task will not be easy one.

 

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