Report recommends measures against corruption in Burkina Faso

Friday, 27 February 2004: A report UNDP issued in Burkina Faso recently calls for ethical conduct by politicians, adequate resources, audits and other preventative measures, and separation of institutional powers to stem corruption.

Entitled "Corruption and Human Development," the report calls the fight against corruption crucial to strengthening government integrity and transparency in the west African country, one of the world's poorest.

It is the fifth national Human Development Report that an independent Human Development Group, coordinated by UNDP, has produced. While many anti-corruption institutions are in place, the report notes, their missions should be clarified and coordinated, and gaps in the judicial framework, especially regarding private financing of political parties, should be filled. UNDP is working with civil anti-corruption organizations and is helping the Government formulate a national anti-corruption strategy.

"The Government is ready to play a key role in the fight against corruption," said Minister of Economy and Development Seydou Bouda at the report launch earlier this month in Ouagadougou, the capital. He urged the Human Development Group to organize workshops around the country to disseminate the findings and translate the report into the main local languages.

"To achieve significant victories over corruption, it is important to mobilize action for change in every public institution," said Anna Coulibaly, interim UNDP Resident Representative. "Therefore, the ongoing dialogue between civil society and private sector should be reinforced to strengthen the fight against corruption and make it more effective."

Of the 500 people surveyed for the report, including government administrators, 95 per cent said corruption is a widespread problem. The main causes, researchers found, include low salaries, poverty, crumbling moral and social values, mismanagement, financial pressure, customs, poor governance, and uncontrolled economic liberalization.

The sectors most affected are the police, customs, politics and public procurement.

In addition to public perceptions, the report examines corruption's impact on the economy, democratic governance and sectors ranging from health and education to environment and socio-cultural values. It also looks at regional and international cooperation to combat corruption and concludes with a comprehensive chapter with recommendations for strengthening anti-corruption activities in public institutions.

Click here for the report (French only). For further information please contact , UNDP Burkina Faso, or , UNDP Communications Office.