Qualities of leadership to shape nation's future after '08
The shape of the country's future will depend on the qualities of the leadership that will take the helm by the end of 2008, said Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury yesterday.
"The future shape of Bangladesh would invariably depend on the quality of the future leadership," he said adding that this is true not only for politics but also for socio-economic spheres of life, which are linked in more than one ways.
An improvement in one would positively influence the other, he added.
Chowdhury believes if the future leadership succeeds in freeing itself from corruption and operates in a free and transparent environment, no one will question the ability of the nation to surge forward.
"Therefore, the ultimate objective of the ACC is to make a stronger mark in creating a situation where this would be possible," the ACC chairman said.
Mashhud made the comments while addressing as chief guest a monthly luncheon meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (Amcham) in a hotel in the capital.
He is very much confident about the continuation of ACC's anti-corruption drive even after the next government takes over.
"I believe by that time the situation will be such that it will be indeed quite difficult for any shape of government of thinking to roll back what will be achieved by that time of 2008," he said.
Anyone may have an optimistic or pessimistic view about the future of Bangladesh he said adding, "But I must admit that I have an optimistic stand. Because, without being an optimist, I would not be able to carry on with my assigned tasks."
He however said "The situation is indeed bleak, but ladies and gentlemen, you do not join this battle, if you do not believe it is what you want to give a try."
The ACC chairman believes that the commission will relentlessly pursue all the corruption cases 'through due process to their desired conclusion'.
Regarding prevention of corruption in the society he said the ACC is going to launch a campaign against corruption across the country.
The people in general, especially the younger generation, will participate actively in the campaign against corruption, the ACC chairman hoped.
"Very soon, a public awareness programme will be launched through which activities will be generated down to the grassroots levels to obtain support from all for the war against corruption," he said.
The commission's efforts will involve projecting a new and better image of Bangladesh, where corruption will be 'a fact of life rather than the way of life', Mashhud said.
"With our future efforts, we would like to let the world know that the rule of law prevails in Bangladesh, and it is not only possible but also profitable to do business in this country," the ACC chairman added.
Syed Ershad Ahmed, president of Amcham, and Trevor Macdonald, vice-president of the organisation were present at the luncheon among others.
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