Face up to end corruption - Prof Mensah-Bonsu

Professor Henrietta Mensah-Bonsu of the University of Ghana on Friday, stated that corruption could only be eliminated if people faced up to it and stripped it of "the dignity conferred on it with fond names" for the society to see it for what it was.

She expressed regret that people approved of petty official corruption and had coined fond names for such acts on daily basis. Prof. Mensah-Bonsu was delivering a lecture at the Saint Peter's Regional Seminary of the Catholic Church at Cape Coast under the theme, "Priestly Formation and the Promotion of Justice and Reconciliation: Challenges and Prospects" as part of the activities making its 7th Theology Week celebration. Speaking on "Contemporary Societal Attitudes Towards the Promotion of Justice and Reconciliation: Prospects and Challenges", Prof. Mensah-Bonsu pointed out that corruption particularly in high places disadvantaged the poor and raised the cost of transaction. "We ourselves participate in such practices in order to secure advantages for ourselves or cause officials to short circuit systems for our benefits," she stated.

"How can we end corruption in our country if we ourselves are quick to pay bribe and lead delegations to influence our parishioners in positions of responsibilities from doing their duties or encourage them to bend the rules in favour of a friend or relation", she asked.
Prof. Mensah-Bonsu expressed dismay that the canker had become so accepted that even Prefects in secondary schools took bribes from students who broke school rules and called on Ghanaians to help wage a war against corruption. Access to legal justices was the right of every citizen, she said and described it as the most important right under a constitutional democracy.

Prof. Mensah-Bonsu, however, noted that the need to institutionalise measures of restorative justice had become prominent and said victims were not only demanding punishment for offenders but were also making claims for restitution. She stressed that attitudes that promoted justice and reconciliation do not develop on their own accord but must be inculcated in both the old and young. "Habits of tolerance, respect, care and consideration for people differently situated must be taught young people to enable them not only to empathize with such people but also learn to moderate their own conduct so as not to create offence", Prof. Mensah-Bonsu stated.

The process of national reconciliation has created awareness but it was a development imperative, she said and called on the people to ensure that it achieved the objectives why it was instituted.GNA

Ghana will win 2008 Nations Cup - Le Roy

Claude Le Roy, head coach of Ghana's senior national team, the Black Stars has reiterated his desire to lead the nation to her fifth continental glory in 2008, when Ghana host the rest of the continent in the Africa Cup of Nations soccer fiesta.

"I have a bunch of committed and dedicated players who are psychologically prepared for the challenges in 2008 and that is why I'm confident of winning the trophy".Addressing the second edition of his monthly Meet-the-Press series in Accra on Friday, Coach Le Roy said the current crop of players of the national team have demonstrated high level of tactical discipline and are very serious about the competition so "I don't see why we should not be the winners".

Coach Le Roy explained that 2008 would mark the maturity period for most his players and the Nation's Cup will be the crowning moment for them."The only thing needed from them is to put up a lot of personal sacrifices to realise this dream."We have to put in everything to win the trophy because Ghanaians won't accept anything less than the trophy."This is why the players will have to forget about going home to attend to personal issues during the preparations, since every concentration must be on football, the competition and the trophy", Le Roy stated.

The coach also reckoned that they will be playing under much pressure during the Nation's Cup but added that a mini tournament will be organised later in the year to make the players get used to the situation.

GNA

Ghana and China sign six economic co-operation agreements

Ghana and China amidst growing bilateral, technical and economic co-operation, on Thursday, signed six major agreements. These included the construction of the Bui Hydro-Electric Dam, a concessionary loan of 30 million dollars for the implementation of a dedicated communication system for the security agencies and the cancellation of 24 million dollars of debt owed China.

The others were an Economic and Technical Co-operation grant, Tourism promotion and a feasibility study on the construction of a new office building for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. President John Agyekum Kufuor and the visiting Chairman of the National Standing Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Congress, Mr Jia Quiglin, witnessed the signing of the agreements at the Castle, Osu.

Mr Jia was at the head of a large Chinese delegation on a three-day visit, at the invitation of Ghana’s Parliament, to help deepen the friendship and practical co-operation between the two countries. China, an emerging economic giant, is ranked third, in terms of investment inflows into Ghana. President Kufuor applauded the positive and friendly relations between the two nations, which had existed for almost 50 years and said Ghana was determined to build on this. “We are totally committed to developing the relations with your country for the mutual benefit of the peoples of Ghana and China and the peace of the world.”

He also re-affirmed Ghana’s adherence to the “One China policy”, with Beijing as its capital, something, Mr. Jia, described as “a core issue dear to China.” Ghana, President Kufuor said valued its relations with China and expressed joy at the agreements concluded between them. Mr Jia, who spoke of the need for the two countries to continue to maintain regular high level contacts said the Chinese Government would do everything possible to actively support the successful implementation of the Bui Hydro-electric Project. Additionally, it would work closely with Ghana, which is both a member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council and Chairman of African Union (AU) towards global peace and security.

He conveyed his country’s gratefulness to Ghana for its support for China’s unification with Taiwan, saying, “sovereignty and territorial integrity is a core issue, dear to China.” The six agreements reached between the countries followed discussions held between President Kufuor and the Chinese leaders on the sidelines of the China-Africa Forum held in Beijing in November, last year.GNAREA

Association calls for immediate rehabilitation of Tamale Teaching Hospital

The Concerned Citizens' Association of Tamale on Tuesday staged a three-hour peaceful demonstration in the Metropolis and called on the government to fulfil its constitutional mandate to rehabilitate the Tamale Teaching Hospital to befit its status.

The demonstration started from the Regional Police Park at about 9:05 hours through the principal streets of the Metropolis and ended at the Regional Coordinating Council, where the President of the Association, Mr Basharu Alhassan Daballi, presented a petition, which enumerated some of the problems the Hospital was facing. Mr Mohammed Amin Adam, Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, received the seven-page petition on behalf of the Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris. The demonstrators numbered about 600 and clad in red with red armbands, to indicate their seriousness about the rehabilitation of the Hospital.

They carried placards, some of which read: "Ghana at 50, Tamale at zero, why", "Tamale Regional Hospital is a real disgrace", "Please remember the day of accountability", "We also pay tax", "We are part of Ghana." Mr Adam assured the Association of government's commitment to the development of the Northern Region, citing the on-going construction of hostels for the University for Development Studies (UDS) and the new Sports Stadium. "People did not stage a demonstration to compel the government to undertake these projects, which are currently at the point of completion," he said, adding that the government was equally responsive to the plight of the people.

The MCE commended the Association for ensuring a peaceful demonstration and urged the leaders to contribute meaningfully to the development of the Region. In an interview with the GNA, Mr Daballi said the Association would continue to embark on demonstrations until their demands were met. He said the Association would also consider the option of taking legal action against the government should the demonstrations fail to yield results. GNA