Corruption - a challenge to all of us !
By Bjørn Johannessen,
Ambassador of Norway
Indeed it was an important moment in Blantyre the other day when Malawi`s anti-corruption strategy (NACS) was launched by Hon. President Bingu wa Mutharika. The meeting took place two years after the State President and representatives of various segments of society, supported by the Development Partners, expressed their commit- ment in the matter by signing a Declaration of zero Tolerance on Corruption. The recent launching was made possible throught the very able work undertaken by the Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC). During the meeting the BRC, as well as the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), highly deserved, received commendation for their achievements.
Being invited to speak at the launching, the occasion gave me an opportunity, from a Deve- lopment Partner`s perspective, to reflect on the nature of corruption. Since then, I have been inquried about the rationale for Norway`s support to the Bureau since its early days. In responding to this inquiry, I`m pleased to comment on some aspects which for me, and my Government, are of particular importance.
Firstly corruption undermines democracy, the environment for good governance and human rights. It discourages legitimate business investments, and the best interests of society and business are compromised. It may impede and retard economic and social developments by diverting resources needed for and aimed at socio-economic activities into coffers of a few. Corruption drains assets which might be used for the betterments of peoples daily living, and often has the most serious ramifications for the less developed countries and the most needy parts of their population.
Secondly corruption erodes ethical culture and morality in a society. The danger of corruption should be met with accountability, transparency and ethical code of conduct for business standards. If accepted and unfold, corrupt practises are, however, likely to have a significant negative effect also on human relationships beyond the scope of economics.
Thirdly corruption may have disastrous implications on people`s daily living. It was interesting to note that the Hon. President in his speech at the launching made reference to the construction industry. Some of us have experience from serving in countries where natural disasters, f.i. earthquakes, have resulted in high numbers of casulties - not primarily because of the disaster per se, but because corruption made buildings and their residents most vulnerable to damage when disaster hit. Cement in the construction was replaced by sand, somebody had “forgotten” to install iron as building material or the building was finalised with two more stores than reflected in the licence papers and the policies supposed to be followed.
Fourtly corruption is not limited to developing countries, as often stated, neither can it alone be explained by low salaries and poor working conditions. Undoubtably some Government agencies or business agents in developing countries, eager looking for rentable or needed investments, may embark on corruption because investments agents from developed countries are willing to play the game. But this type of reciprocation should never justify any aspect of corruption. Therefore, it reflects a big misunderstanding when some people seem to believe that corruption is “not that an important issue in Malawi because you have corruption in Europe, Asia and in the US as well...” . Corruption outside Africa can never legitimate corruption in Malawi, neither the opposite. On the contrary; the fight on corruption in one specific country should inspire similar combats in other countries, and here Malawi - through the new strategy - may provide an example to others. By ratifying the UN Convention against corruption in December 2007, Malawi joined forces with Norway and other countries in the international struggle for a zero tolerance stance on corruption.
Fiftly there are indeed problems in tracing corruption, which was also recognised by the State President in his speech in Blantyre. It is therefore most appropriate when the strategy is outlining the scope and nature of corruption. Similar important is the presentation of a glossary reflecting the challenges, in addition to underscoring the importance of prevention, awarenessbuilding, information and training. Bribes and various forms of corruption have in many parts of the world long been accepted as “necessary means of doing business”. Such practises used to be regarded mainly as an internal affair of the country involved. Many Norwegians are today taken by surprise being reminded that until 1995 businesses in Norway could even qualify for tax relief for documented expenses originating from bribes or other dubious payments abroad !
Since this was the case, radical changes of policies have taken place in Norway, towards criminalisation of corruption, similar to what has been the trend internationally. Recently my Government also launched its first white paper on “corporate social responsibility in a globalised economy”. In line with this, the Norwegian Government prioritizes anti-corruption efforts in both its development and foreign policy agendas. The impetus of corruption is a major issue that Norway brings up regularly in dialogues with bilateral and multilateral cooperation partners, among them Malawi. Corruption clauses are systematically being incorporated into all cooperation agreements, so they can be terminated if corruption is detected in projects covered by the agreements. It has been encouraging to see that the Government in Malawi fully is endorsing this policy.
Some concluding remarks need to be added; although the launching of the strategy was an important moment, it should be emphasised that the most difficult challenges lay ahead. In a way NACS is the end of the beginning to fight corruption in Malawi, it remains to be seen whether it also will be the beginning of the end. NACS will become a symbol, and not much more, if the implementation of the strategy is being put on halt or will not contain indepen- dence, integrity and sufficient funding towards its operations. And the independence has to reflect not only relationship with the Government, but also with the political opposition. ABC as the lead agency must have adequate human capacity and financial muscles in order to make the strategy effective. Only options for ACB to address corruption on all levels of society will provide people`s trust in its endeavours.
In this regard, Hon. Minister of Justice, Mr. Henry Phoya, in his speech during the launching of the NACS, very rightly stressed the importance of the State President`s dedication to the fight against corruption. Unfortunately it is not difficult to identify Governments and even Heads of State being parts of the problem of corruption. It is difficult to condemn the weak and needy ones becoming involved in bribes and other formes for corruption, when business managers and members of Government directly or indirectly are legitimating corruption ! Therefore, people`s trust in NACS will only be provided if ACB, as the mandated agency, is able to investigate and prosecute corrupt practices on all levels in society. The task ahead in Malawi is with the Government, the Judiciary, the Legislature, the private sector, civil society, the media, the traditional leaders and the faithbased organisations. Each and one have different roles to play, but the challenges are common !
Link to "The Daily Times": http://www.dailytimes.bppmw.com/article.asp?ArticleID=12188