DECEMBER 9 has been designated by the United Nations as Anti-Corruption Day. It is intended to raise awareness on the harmful effects of corruption on society. The theme of this year’s Anti-Corruption Day is, “Your right, your role: Say no to corruption.”

This theme is most apt and draws attention to the fact that when it comes to corruption, every individual has a role to play in exposing corruption and bringing such practices to the attention of the relevant authorities.

International Anti-Corruption Day highlights the fact that corruption is one of the biggest obstacles in achieving sustainable goals. The day seeks to highlight the role of every part of society — individuals, non-governmental organisations, law enforcement agencies, governments and the media in tackling the cancer of corruption.

Corruption has become a global phenomenon, and according to the United Nations, no country is immune from corruption. The global cost of corruption is roughly five per cent of the World’s Gross Domestic Product or some US$2.6 trillion. Preventing corruption will allow for more resources to be put on better access to education, health care and other essential services while at the same time promoting stable and democratic institutions.

Corruption is a complex social, political and economic phenomenon that affects all areas of society. It makes us poorer as a country and as a society. It attacks the very foundation of democratic institutions by distorting electoral processes, perverting the rule of law and creates all manner of bureaucratic bottlenecks with the sole objective of soliciting bribes. Economic development is stunted as investors are less likely to invest their money in an environment of corruption and where there is a breakdown of the rule of law.

This is why the PPP/C administration has consistently embraced a policy of zero tolerance when it comes to corruption and corrupt practices, especially as they relate to public officials. It was under the PPP/C administration that several anti-corruption institutions were established to hold public officials accountable for the management of public funds.

The Integrity Commission was established on the 24th September 1997 with the overall objective of ensuring enhanced public confidence in the integrity of holders of public office. It was under the PPP/C administration that the Office of the Auditor General was strengthened and the Auditor General’s Report was submitted to the Speaker of the National Assembly on a regular basis. This report informed the deliberations of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) where all accounting officers from government agencies are required to answer for any apparent breaches of the Financial Management and Accountability Act (FMAA).

As observed by President Ali, despite the best efforts to curb corruption, there are some people who would be tempted, as it were, to beat the system, but the important thing is that we must never reach a situation where our institutions fail us. The need for strong institutions is all the more necessary as the country benefits from an increasing flow of petro-dollars.

This reality has not been lost on the President who assured all Guyanese that there will be an arm’s-length relationship between the government and the Petroleum Commission. According to President Ali, ‘you can be assured that the institutions will be strengthened. Those institutions will be operating within the constitution, within their different laws and rules that govern them and there will be no political manoeuvring or involvement in destroying that.’

These are most reassuring words coming from our Head of State and speaks to a leader who is serious about addressing the issue of corruption in our society. Indeed, it is a clear and unequivocal message to all Guyanese that corruption will not be tolerated and anyone found guilty of converting public funds to their own use will be dealt with condignly and with the full force of the law.

Corruption, it must be said, goes beyond financial aberrations and bribe-taking, despicable as these are. It is also about subverting the will of the people through fraudulent elections. When the will of the people is subverted, all other institutions of the state become compromised, including the Judiciary and the Executive. Indeed, the entire social and moral fabric of the society are undermined. We have, thankfully, gone past that sordid period, but we have as a society to continue to be vigilant. Regardless of in what shape or form corruption manifests itself, it must be nipped in the bud.