Africa not fighting corruption – Report

The new Afrobarometer report has revealed that African governments have not being strong in fight to curb corruption.

Released November 13, 2013, the report which undertook a survey in 34 African countries indicated that a majority of people condemned their governments’ anti-corruption efforts.

The Afrobarometer surveyed more than 51,000 people across the continent between October 2011 and June 2013.

“Fifty-six percent of survey participants said their governments have done a “fairly” or “very bad” job of fighting corruption, while just 35% say their governments have done this “fairly” or “very well,” said the report titled “Governments Falter in Fight to Curb Corruption: The people give most a failing grade”.

The negative ratings surface despite the fact that eradicating corruption and improving governance in Africa have been priorities for most major international organizations and many political leaders since the mid-1990s.

The report found that almost one in five people representing 16% have “paid a bribe one or more times to a government official in the past year in order to get an official document or permit”.

It added that “Paying a bribe to get medical treatment as well as avoid a problem with the police were the other two most cited reasons.”

Across the 34 countries, the report observed that perceptions of corruption are highest for the police, followed by government officials and tax officials with officials in the office of the presidency are perceived to be the least corrupt.

By Ekow Quandzie