Observing International Anti-Corruption Day

Dec 10, 2019 News

The Guyana Peace Council joins Peace Organizations around the World in observing International Anti-Corruption Day which is held annually on December 9.
The specific goal is to raise public awareness of the nature and extent of corruption that exists in Governments and Societies around our Universe, draw attention to the negative impact which corruption has on affected Societies across our Universe and join United Nations member States and Peace Organizations in organizing and promoting events and activities that encourage and promote the global fight against Corruption.
This event is rooted in the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, a Treaty signed on December 9, 2003 by a number of member States, legally binding them to take steps to reduce corruption and concomitantly enforce law and order.
That is why planned events and activities of this day must aim to effectively promote and encourage the global fight against corruption; for corruption knows no borders or boundaries. It is found in both rich and poor countries.
Indeed, empirical evidence shows that it hurts poor people disproportionately, contributes to instability and is a dominant factor driving especially poor countries towards state failure. International Anti-Corruption Day must therefore be a time for reflection, refocusing and rechanneling efforts and significant resources on developing anti-corruption strategies and drive.
It must also promote events and activities that would support and advance any such drive.
Undoubtedly, corruption is a major hindrance to the growth and development of Guyana as, inter alia. It reduces the resources available for providing quality goods and services that are in demand by our people with a concomitant result that the poor get poorer and vulnerable as they are unable to access basic healthcare, education, water, electricity services.
More than this, corruption growth ultimately limits industrial growth by discouraging new startups as many would be investors loose whatever little confidence they have in the Government consequent on increased startup costs resulting from the hype in bribes and other forms of corruption at the level of Government.
Today, in Guyana, corruption is no longer defined or limited to giving and taking bribes and bureaucratic favours. It includes bribery to influence the electoral process, giving unjust favours for money or kind (land) and influencing the judicial process.
No decent honest Guyanese would deny the clear and obvious signs and evidence of corruption in Guyana today.
If we all stand united against corruption, we can foster a culture of lawfulness, transparency and accountability.
Let us all stand for integrity. Let us determine to speak up against corruption rather than become a silent prey to its effect. Let us support and encourage those who raise their voices against corruption.
A corruption free society is possible if we work in unison. Just remember: “A people who elect corrupt politicians are not victims but accomplices”… George Orwell

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