Tuesday, August 15, 2006

X-tian Professionals Discuss Roles in Fighting Corruption

By William Yaw Owusu

Tuesday, 15 August 2006
The first-ever integrity conference aimed at assisting the government in the fight against corruption was held in Accra at the weekend.

In all, about 70 participants made up of young Christian professionals, took part in the event which was under the theme "Tackling Corruption; the divine perspective".

It was organized by the Oracle Foundation, a network of Christian professionals.

Addressing them on the topic "Financial Integrity – an essential tool for an authentic Christian", Mr. Emmanuel Akrong of the PriceWaterhouse Coopers (Assurance Division) called on churches to file their tax returns as recommended by law in order to "set good leadership example for the congregation to follow".

He said "If churches file their tax returns as they are not mandated to pay taxes, the numerous members who have big businesses will be morally motivated enough to also pay taxes for the economy to grow".

Mr. Akrong said the church has the responsibility to help tackle corruption from the Christian perspective adding that "in Christianity there should always be nothing like financial corruption".

He said it was common knowledge that some church leaders indulged in financial impropriety, and " the congregation now feel motivated to follow the example of their leaders by also indulging in fraud".

"Today people make money through fraud and go back to church for blessing, and the church leaders do not make any attempt to question such people about their sources of income," he added.

To help check financial fraud, Mr. Akrong said the time had come for organizations, especially churches to form trusteeship committees, among others, to ensure transparency.

He commended the government for introducing the Whistle Blower Bill and the Anti-Money Laundering Bill which is awaiting parliamentary approval, saying that "such interventions will help scrutinize activities of all organizations, including churches.

Mr. Micheal Apperty, coordinator of the Oracle Foundation, said the time had come for government to try the Christian principle in the right against corruption.

"The nation has adopted many strategies to fight this social problem but let us go back to the Bible to seek moral values in this fight".

Mr. Aawonam Amevor, Investment Analyst of the Gold Coast Securities Limited, who chaired the function, charged the youth to spread the message on government’s anti-corruption drive.

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