‘Bribery is a culture problem, not a salary problem’ – Kofi Bentil
Senior lawyer and Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil has argued that Ghana’s persistent bribery problem cannot simply be blamed on the salaries of public officials, describing it instead as a culture that has become embedded in the delivery of government services.
Kofi Bentil, a senior lawyer and Vice President of IMANI Africa, has spoken out about Ghana's ongoing bribery issue, stating it is not merely a matter of public officials' salaries. In an interview on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Mr. Bentil emphasized the need for a multifaceted approach to combat bribery, which includes strict enforcement measures and the depersonalisation of government services.
He highlighted that bribery is deeply ingrained in the delivery of government services, stemming from the necessity for citizens to physically interact with officials for basic services. According to Mr. Bentil, digitising government services can significantly curb bribery opportunities, as it removes the need for face-to-face encounters, where officials might demand or solicit unofficial payments.
He pointed out that Ghana already possesses the technological infrastructure to facilitate such digitisation through the Ghana Card system. He advocated for expanding digital accessibility to services like driver’s licences and passports, suggesting that with the right digital systems, citizens could obtain these services online without the need for multiple office visits.
Mr. Bentil believes that such technological solutions are within Ghana's reach and could substantially reduce bribery. He stressed that tackling bribery requires a shift not only in individual behaviour but also in the systems that facilitate corrupt practices.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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