Public sector corruption threatens key initiatives – Transparency International

Corruption within the public sector remains one of the world’s biggest challenges, the Transparency International has said.

According to TI who released the 2013 edition of the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) December 3, 2013, mentioned that public sector corruption are mostly seen in areas such as political parties, police, and justice systems.

This, the anti-graft watchdog, said hinders future initiatives.

“Future efforts to respond to climate change, economic crisis and extreme poverty will face a massive roadblock in the shape of corruption,” TI warned in its CPI report.

It called on international bodies like the G20 to crack down on money laundering, make corporations more transparent and pursue the return of stolen assets.

“It is time to stop those who get away with acts of corruption. The legal loopholes and lack of political will in government facilitate both domestic and cross-border corruption, and call for our intensified efforts to combat the impunity of the corrupt,” Chair of TI, Huguette Labelle said.

The body urged public institutions to be more “open about their work and officials must be more transparent in their decision-making”.  It adds “corruption remains notoriously difficult to investigate and prosecute”.

In the 2013 CPI, Denmark and New Zealand tie for first place with scores of 91. Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia this year were the worst performers, scoring just 8 points each.

“The top performers clearly reveal how transparency supports accountability and can stop corruption,” said Labelle.

Labelle noted even the better performers, still face issues like state capture, campaign finance and the oversight of big public contracts which remain major corruption risks.

“The Corruption Perceptions Index 2013 demonstrates that all countries still face the threat of corruption at all levels of government, from the issuing of local permits to the enforcement of laws and regulations,” said Labelle.

The CPI is based on experts’ opinions of public sector corruption. It offered a warning that the abuse of power, secret dealings and bribery continue to ravage societies around the world.

More than two thirds of the 177 countries in the 2013 index score below 50, on a scale from 0 (perceived to be highly corrupt) to 100 (perceived to be very clean).

By Ekow Quandzie