By Clive Bacchus from Winnfm 98.9

St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): The anti-corruption group Transparency International (TI) is identifying the main corruption challenges in the region and announcing its intention to expand its Caribbean Network.

TI lists corruption challenges as:

Weak non-transparent and unaccountable institutions

Lack of, or weak basic anti-corruption legislation (such as access to information laws and whistle-blowing protection) and weak enforcement of existing legislation

Collusion among business and political elites affecting procurement processes

Mobilizing people to fight corruption (Citizens need to understand their rights and stand up for them)

Transparency International Caribbean Network is expected to bring together Transparency International chapters in Jamaica, Haiti, and Trinidad and Tobago, one partner organization in Guyana, one in Bahamas that recently joined, plus experienced regional anti-corruption activists in St. Kitts and the Cayman Islands.

 Head of the Americas region for Transparency International, Alejandro Salas said the goal is to strengthen anti-corruption prevention and law enforcement with a focus on developing effective legislation on political financing, advancing whistle-blowing protection, strengthening procurement legislation and promoting integrity in public life and freedom of information.

The first meeting of the TI Caribbean Network took place in Miami at the end of May. All members agreed to exchange information on their national challenges and to identify the main corruption trends that most affect the region.

Executive director of National Integrity Action, Transparency International’s chapter in Jamaica, Professor Trevor Munroe said another goal was to raise awareness in local populations that corruption harms their quality of life and that there are ways to fight corruption.

He added that TI wanted to work with local investigative journalists to tell the stories of corruption and how to hold the guilty to account.

For more on this story go to: http://www.winnfm.com/news/local/17413-transparency-international-to-step-up-anti-corruption-battle-in-the-caribbean