Corruption holding business back across Africa

Corruption across Africa has weakened economies and harmed public institutions, warned speakers at a three-day event on corruption in southern Africa. ‘Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa’ was held in Botswana, which Said Adejumobi, Economic Commission for Africa’s regional director for southern Africa, described as a shining light and beacon of hope in the fight against corruption in Africa. He said Botswana has one of the best anti-corruption profiles on the continent and the choice of Botswana to serve as host of the regional conference was not a coincidence. Mr Adejumobi added that Botswana is a success story in fighting corruption; it is one of the best-governed countries on the continent, where institutions work and resources are well used. It is well placed to champion the anti-corruption agenda in Southern Africa and can encourage other African countries to follow suit. “Corruption has had a corrosive effect on Africa’s development; it has weakened public institutions, distorted resource allocation, and affected the quality and scope of the delivery of social services and devalued state and society,” he said. For things to change, Mr Adejumobi suggested: “Good and progressive leadership can make a qualitative difference; it can help build institutions, diffuse the tensions and high premiums often associated with the struggle for power, and curb corruption in the state and society.” The President of the Republic of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi, called on governments to put in place sound policies in fighting corruption. He noted that good policies on accounting, internal controls and auditing systems, and strong capacity for anti-corruption and oversight institutions and the existence of the rule of law and due process, are essential in fighting corruption. He elaborated on measures that his government has put in place to fight corruption, including a number of relevant legal instruments such as the Proceeds and Instruments of Crime Act and Whistle Blowing Act, as well as a specialised corruption court. “We are going to table a bill in parliament on Declaration of Assets and Liabilities, which will cover all top government officials including the executive,” he said. The former President of Liberia, Professor Amos Sawyer, underscored the need to intensify and elevate the conversation about the relationship between political parties, especially ruling parties and legislatures in the promotion of good governance. “I think appropriate institutions which operate at national and regional levels can take the lead,” he said. He observed that the rules of political parties pertaining to their internal governance, selection of leaders and candidates directly affect the quality of governance – not only of political parties themselves but the quality of governance in the entire political system. African Union Commission representative, Leopold-Auguste Ngomo, said: “Like cancer, corruption destroys systems.” He called on African states to move towards zero tolerance of corruption by bringing the culprits to book.

Corruption holding business back across Africa

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