The Dutch Ambassador to Ghana, Ron Strikker has clarified comments he made when he advocated for a “Ghana Beyond Corruption” agenda at the Ghana Integrity Initiative(GII) 20th Anniversary Event.
According to a statement issued by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Ghana, H.E. Strikker regrets that media reports suggested that he called for the Ghana Beyond Aid agenda to be replaced by a Ghana Beyond Corruption Agenda.
The statement stressed that The Netherlands has been and will be a staunch supporter of the Ghana Beyond Aid Agenda initiated by President Nana Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2017.
Referring to the remarks, Ambassador Strikker said that the Netherlands was also committed to support the efforts of Ghana to fight corruption, including some support to civil society organizations such as the Ghana Integrity Initiative.
“I hope this will help the determined efforts of government and civil society to fight corruption which is a core element of the Ghana beyond Aid Agenda,” the ambassador added.
“All efforts of government and civil society in Ghana to stamp out corruption are part and parcel of the Ghana Beyond Aid Agenda”.
Recall
Ambassador Strikker’s in his viral comments at the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Ghana Integrity Initiative in Accra last Thursday wondered why the government will not focus on pursuing an agenda of ghana beyond corruption.
He said: “You need a good business climate to attract foreign investment…corruption is a very bad thing ad companies suffer and will stay away if they think that they are going to be harassed by corruption in a certain country…
“Your official policy is Ghana Beyond Aid; why not Ghana Beyond Corruption?”