The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) has rendered an “unqualified” apology to President John Mahama for the use of the word ‘mentoring’ in its press release issued on Thursday, that sought to ask him [Mahama] to take a cue from the Presidents of Tanzania and Nigeria, if he really wants to fight corruption in Ghana.
In the press statement to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day, the GII noted that Mahama should turn to Presidents Buhari and Magufuli for mentoring since they have been dedicated to fighting corruption in their respective countries.
“GII wishes to appeal to President John Dramani Mahama to turn to President Muhammudu Buhari and President John Magufuli for mentoring and act more swiftly to curb corruption in this country. Action on the cases so far unearthed must be swift, fair and cover everybody that is indicted, no matter their position in government or the ruling NDC.”
[contextly_sidebar id=”0g4uIOyFfSmVtodBlgyS0j3l9JbveHtG”]“The refreshing aspects of President John Magulufi and President Muhamadu Buhari is fighting corruption was an election promise they both made and they have set about doing that after barely few months in office,” the statement noted.
But the anti-graft body , which is the local arm of Transparency International, in a u-turn says it was inappropriate for them to have used the word “mentoring”.
“The attention of the Board and Management of the Ghana Integrity Initiative has been drawn to the inappropriate use of the word, “mentoring” in the last paragraph of the Press release it issued yesterday to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day and wish to apologise unreservedly to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama and, indeed, the people of this country for the use of the word. GII wishes to withdraw that entire sentence from the Press Release.”
Below is the full statement
(GHANA CHAPTER OF TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL)
The attention of the Board and Management of the Ghana Integrity Initiative has been drawn to the inappropriate use of the word, “mentoring” in the last paragraph of the Press release it issued yesterday to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day and wish to apologise unreservedly to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama and, indeed, the people of this country for the use of the word. GII wishes to withdraw that entire sentence from the Press Release.
We recognise that the President is the first gentleman of the land and must be treated with all the necessary respect from all the citizens of the country.
We wish to emphasize that the Press Release did not intend to denigrate the President and should not be seen in that light. We sincerely call on all Ghanaians to avoid using this error to divert the import of the Press Release which calls on the President to use all his powers to “BREAK THE CORRUPTION CHAIN”
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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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