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| Independent body to manage oil money |
 The Government intends to set up an independent body to manage all revenue from Ghana’s oil find to ensure transparency and effective management.President John Mills assured visiting former US president Jimmy Carter of move at the castle . Mr Carter is attending the African Regional Conference on the right of Access to information in Accra.
Although the President did not give details, he indicated that the formation of such an independent body was part of a comprehensive framework being developed by his administration for the proper monitoring and utilisation of oil resources for the benefit of Ghanaians. The three day conference which started on Sunday February 7 is being organized by the Carter Centre. The conference is discussing issues of access to information laws and how such legislature could help protect the political economics of African countries. Briefing the visiting former US President, President Mills said that Ghana is committed to ensuring that the bill, which is currently before parliament is passed into law. Responding to an inquiry from Mr. Carter as to how Ghana is preparing itself for the oil find, President Mills indicated that Ghana, unlike other African countries, intends to use the resource to its maximum benefit. According to him, the setting up of an independent body to handle the revenue that will flow from the resource is a sure way of fighting corruption within the emerging oil industry in the country. He explained that the body as a matter of urgency would be required to publish how much accrues to its coffers regularly and give Ghanaians the opportunity to know what the funds are being used for. “We want an independent body to be in charge of the revenue management so that Ghanaians would know exactly to what use the revenues are going to be put†President Mills said. Meanwhile President Mills says Ghanaians should see the Information Bill as a bold step towards fighting corruption both within the Public and Private sector in the country. “The fight against corruption should not be one sided, I believe with the passage of this act, people should not regard it as something that imposes additional responsibility on government, all others must know that the act applies to them, the private sector especially and other Ghanaians…and it would also enhance our ability to check government expenditure, actions and government initiatives, so I think that is something that all of us would have to embrace and take it seriously†he added. ÂÂ
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