Wednesday, January 27, 2010

The Challenges of Corruption

The only way corruption could be fought with success is to make the police and the judiciary more accountable to the people and not the government. In most developing countries, the two bodies are weakened by corruption too, thus making it very difficult to checkmate those that are corrupt. The politicians also compound the problem of corruption through their illicit engagements through scheming for contracts and becoming overnight contractors for contracts they do not know anything about. Africa, especially has been given bad names about corruption. But corruption is a global phenomenon. There is no country in the world where corruption does not take place. Corruption as a matter of fact is presently being redefined daily by those who have made it good for their existence. For example, in the U.S Congress, cases which would have been corruption have been redefined as 'violation of ethics' or code of conduct. If I may ask, where is the boundary between ethics and corruption? These require a much clearer clarification or explanation. As a researcher of corruption and having defined corruption based on its perpetration. It is the 'use of public or private office for personal gain or benefit. We really need to do more in the area of anti-corruption. Because those who are supposed to bear the banner of fighting corruption are themselves very corrupt. If this is the case, then how do we solve this problem which has become a monster that has refused to die? The world in general witnessing dynamism of corruption, as it unfolds daily. People are becoming more daring and they damn whatever consequences. If this is the case, it is then left for those committed to the cause to innovate a way to tame the malaise.

Dr. Etuka C. Obinwa

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