Set example, reduce size of convoys – Catholic bishops to Akufo-Addo gov’t

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has made a strong demand of government to set an example as regards its call for burden-sharing.

The Conference wants government to cut down on economic costs by reducing leadership of state-owned enterprises, for instance.

“The size of government and leadership in State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) should be significantly reduced,” an official communique issued at the end of the Conference’s Annual Plenary Assembly on Friday, November 11 said.

“One strong signal that will indicate leadership is committed to burden-sharing is by reducing the size of presidential and ministerial convoys.”

The Conference also called for an “aggressive” approach to the recommendations of the Auditor-General as often captured in his report every year.

It observed how the report is replete with cases of misappropriation, mismanagement and “actual thievery”, yet little-to-no action is taken to retrieve monies.

The Conference asked the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to show real commitment in fighting this canker and ensure that all misappropriated monies are retrieved.

“We ask that our President should show real commitment in fighting corruption by making use of the security and intelligence community to investigate allegations of corruption, prosecute as well as recover stolen funds.”

The bishops called on Ghanaians to eschew all attitudes and behaviour that appear to support bribery and corruption.

“We call on all Catholics, especially those in politics and public service to lead this crusade against corruption.”

The Annual Plenary Assembly was held at the Fr. Alfons Merten Centre in Donkorkrom in the Eastern Region on the theme: ‘For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission in the Light of the New Evangelisation in Ghana’.

It began on Friday, November 4 and ended on Saturday, November 12.

The Assembly witnessed the election of Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi as the new President of the Conference, taking over from Most Rev Philip Naameh, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Tamale.