Catholic Bishops in Ghana speak out against Corruption

Catholic Bishops in Ghana have spoken out against the bane of corruption in their country.

The Bishops have criticised what they are calling the “twin evils of bribery and corruption” in Ghanaian society. These two evils, they say, are ravaging the very fabric of society.  They warn against impunity in the face of endemic corruption which they say is now openly practised and has become prevalent.

The Ghanaian Bishops made the pronouncements in their New Year message to the people of Ghana released yesterday. The message is issued by the Konongo-Mampong Diocesan Bishop, Joseph Osei-Bonsu, who is also President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference.  

“If corruption is rife in our country today, it is principally because, even though we have strong institutions, there is generally speaking a lack of integrity on the part of the people operating these institutions and on the part of many individuals in the country.  If people were guided in their consciences by integrity and honesty, there would be no corruption or, at least, it would be reduced drastically and Ghana would be a better place than it is today,” the Bishops say.

With regard to politics, the Bishops hope that in 2015, politicians  will do their work conscientiously and will avoid the misappropriation of funds. They say, “In this connection we should bear in mind that the 1994 African Synod ‘prayed fervently to the Lord that there would arise in Africa holy politicians — both men and women — and that there would be saintly Heads of State, who profoundly love their own people and wish to serve rather than be served,’” the Bishops said quoting from the Church document, “Ecclesia in Africa.”

Another area of concern for the Bishops is the manner in which politics are conducted in Ghana. They condemn the unnecessary rivalry between political parties in Ghana.  “We should put an end to the culture of insults that is so prevalent in our country, especially in the political arena.  Certain pronouncements and actions by highly-placed Ghanaians do not promote peace.  Rather they create confusion, rancour, bitterness and resentment.  We need to be frank with our politicians and point out their mistakes to them.  We should put an end to sycophancy and boot-licking and have the courage to castigate our politicians when they go wrong,” the Bishops stressed.

The Catholic Bishops also observe that Ghanaians need to be concerned with issues of morality.  “As a nation we will not enjoy peace if there is immorality in the country”, the Bishops advise.  The Bishops have called upon Ghanaians to guard against the corrupting influence of pornography.  Parents are especially called upon to take seriously their responsibilities in the family by promoting traditional values of respect for elders, decorum and decency.

Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference comprises Bishops from the nineteen dioceses of the country. 

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