In regard to its call for burden-sharing, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has made a strong demand on the government to set an example.
The Conference wants the government to reduce the costs associated with running state-owned businesses, for example.
An official statement released at the conclusion of the Conference’s Annual Plenary Assembly on Friday, November 11 stated that “the size of government and leadership in State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) should be significantly reduced.”
“Reducing the size of presidential and ministerial convoys will be one strong signal that will indicate leadership is committed to burden-sharing.”
The Conference also demanded that the recommendations made by the Auditor-General, which are frequently included in his report each year, be taken “aggressively.”
It noted that despite numerous instances of misappropriation, poor management, and “actual thievery” in the report, little to no action is taken to recover funds.
The Conference urged the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to fight this disease with genuine vigour and see to it that all missing funds are found.
“We demand that our President demonstrate a genuine commitment to the fight against corruption by utilizing the security and intelligence community to look into claims of corruption, bring charges, and recover stolen funds.”
The bishops urged Ghanaians to abstain from any attitudes and actions that might be seen as encouraging bribery and corruption.
“We urge all Catholics to lead this crusade against corruption, especially those in public service and politics.”
The Fr. Alfons Merten Centre in Donkorkrom, in the Eastern Region, hosted the Annual Plenary Assembly, which had as its theme “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission in the Light of the New Evangelization in Ghana.”
It started on November 4 on a Friday and ended on November 12 on a Saturday.
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Tamale, Most Reverend Philip Naameh, was succeeded as President of the Conference by Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, who was elected by the Assembly.
