“Greed is Good”, is it really so? There are more Gordon Gekko’s out there then we could imagine.

“The point is, ladies and gentleman, that greed — for lack of a better word — is good. Greed is right. Greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms — greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge — has marked the upward surge of mankind” – Gordon Gekko (Wall Street Movie 1987).

There are stories that fun, there are stories that are deep, there conspiracies, as I usually digs deep into things, there is more again of showing that the Corrupt behavior is not only set in Nigeria or in any other place there expected to be Corrupt civil servants or corporate businessmen, they are all around the world, as I like to show that there not a place without people wanting to take the short-cut and gain extra for their job or under their role at some function in society or in business.

This here is international issue, it’s in the skin and heart as the opportunity to gain quick funds and money. That is proven, as the Pharma Industry is implicated, FIFA scandal continues, former Belgian biker, NYPD, Prison Guards in New Zealand and civil servants in the Philippines; take a look!

Pharma industry corruption:

“It is shocking that despite scandal after scandal involving pharma companies, still policy makers simply are not taking seriously the corrosive effect of corruption,” Sophie Peresson, its head of pharmaceuticals and healthcare, said. “The red flags are being ignored.” (…)”GlaxoSmithKline (GSK.L), for example, paid a record fine of nearly $500 million in 2014 for bribery in China and many companies face investigation under the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act” (Hirschler, 2016).

The ball is still round for FIFA:

“Per AP, Bill Burck of American law firm Quinn Emanuel, which is retained by FIFA, said: “The evidence appears to reveal a coordinated effort by three former top officials of FIFA to enrich themselves through annual salary increases, World Cup bonuses and other incentives totaling more than 79 million Swiss francs—in just the last five years.” In a statement, FIFA said it “will refer the matter of these contracts and payments to the Ethics Committee for its review.” (Simpson, 2016).

Tour De France Winner caught red-handed:

“The prosecutor, who spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to make public statements, said Merckx is accused of corruption and the use of false documents in the sale of 46 bicycles by his then-company Cycles Eddy Merckx to police in southern Brussels in 2006-07” (…)”The contract, worth an estimated 15,000 euros ($16,700 U.S.), was allegedly obtained after a policeman furnished Merckx with inside information. Merckx allegedly rewarded the officer by selling him a carbon-fiber bicycle at a low price and giving a bicycle to the man’s wife” (Dahlburg, 2016).

NYPD Corruption Probe:

“An NYPD official said the planned retirements wouldn’t affect the ongoing investigation and denied that the cops were being forced out — even though Police Commissioner Bill Bratton last month said some may choose to leave to avoid humiliation.“No one was told to retire. If they’re being advised by their peers, or union, or families, that’s a personal decision,” the official said.“These guys are making personal decisions. They’re reading the writing on the wall.”But a rank-and-file source said the situation was “not going over well with us lower-ranking guys.” (…) “The feeling from the ground troops is that they all should be fired,” the source said” (…) “If it was us, we would be crucified. Now we’re looking at these chiefs and wondering if there’s a double standard here. Because they’re high ranking, they get to retire, they get to avoid discipline and collect their pension.” (…) ”Roy Richter, president of the Captains Endowment Association, cautioned against a rush to judgment” (…) “No one has filed for service retirement with administrative charges pending or has been identified by federal investigators as a target of their investigation,” he said. The police corruption probe is among several investigations that also target fund-raising efforts by Mayor de Blasio and his closest associates” (Cohen & Golding, 2016).

Convicted justice:

“Davis says he was contacted by the family member of a prisoner in Serco-run South Auckland Correctional Facility, Wiri Prison. “The guard will make an arrangement where they meet at a Caltex station not far from the prison,” said Davis.”And the family member will give over $500, and two 250 gram packets of tobacco will be taken in to their loved one.” (…)”Collins confirmed the Department of Corrections had taken the allegations seriously and made a complaint to the police. She was critical of Davis going to media, rather than going to Corrections. She revealed since 2007, four Corrections officers had been imprisoned because of smuggling or bribery charges, and two more were currently before the Courts. The Department of Corrections said the introduction of contraband into prisons, and corruption, was very serious. “Thorough security measures are in place at all New Zealand prisons to prevent the introduction of unauthorised items,” a spokesperson said. “Drugs, weapons and cellphones pose a serious risk to the safety of our sites. Prisoners, visitors, contractors and staff are all subject to random and targeted searches on entry to a prison, and anyone found to have facilitated the entry of unauthorised items will be held to account.” A Serco spokesperson said they have “zero tolerance” for any actions that compromise security. There is robust anti-corruption training and there is on-going supervision of all staff” (Price, 2016).

On the Next Philippine Government:

“Philippine Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano warned corrupt public officials that their days are numbered under the administration of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte” (…) “Under the Duterte administration, there is no room for corrupt, slow and inefficient officials. It’s either they shape up or ship out. They have one month,” (…) “President Duterte is used to quick action and brave solutions. We must therefore match his political will and the people’s expectations for real change by making sure that we become the best agents of change,” (…) “The days of corrupt government officials are numbered. If you cannot mend your ways, you better resign. The Duterte government will give no quarter for the corrupt,” (…) “I have always believed in President-elect Duterte’s vision and leadership. I will help him by pushing and passing laws that are necessary for him to build a government that will be truly responsive to the people’s needs and aspirations,” (Ager, 2016).

Is greed really that good, then all kind of societies and all over the world when the money is spent on the government officials and used by sportsmen and others on corrupt behavior, instead of being used as they we’re supposed to be, either on the sport, on the people or generating business? Peace.

Reference:

Ager, Malia – ‘No room for corrupt govt officials in Duterte administration’ (01.06.2016) link: http://www.asianews.network/content/no-room-corrupt-govt-officials-duterte-administration-18511

Cohen, Shawn & Golding, Brian – ‘Massive corruption probe is sparking an exodus at the NYPD’ (01.06.2016) link: http://nypost.com/2016/06/01/massive-corruption-probe-is-sparking-an-exodus-at-the-nypd/

Dahlburg, John-Thor – ‘Former pro cyclist Eddy Merckx to be charged in Belgian corruption case’ (31.05.2016) link: https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2016/05/31/former-pro-cyclist-eddy-merckx-to-be-charged-in-belgian-corruption-case.html

Hirschler, Ben – ‘Anti-graft group says drugmakers failing to tackle corruption’ (01.06.2016) link: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-pharmaceuticals-corruption-idUSKCN0YN624

Price, Rosanna – ‘Whistleblower investigated over Corrections corruption and bribery’ (02.06.2016) link: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/80656844/labour-mp-kelvin-davis-alleges-corruption-in-nz-prisons-over-tobacco-smuggling

Simpson, Christopher – ‘FIFA Raided for Evidence in Corruption Investigation: Latest Details, Reaction’ (03.06.2016) link:  http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2644045-fifa-raided-for-evidence-in-corruption-investigation-latest-details-reaction

Anonymous – Hillary Clinton: Lying for 12 minutes straight (Youtube-Clip)

CSO’s and Multilateral Organizations approach on the spread of Ebola in West Africa.

This Ebola disease has taken its toll and that why I have made this blog post. With various sources quoting in the recent week on the matter, to prove what the nations does and don’t. Also too show the progress of multilateral organizational co-ops in the affected countries in the West Africa.   

This is what the US Government entities have to say about people with Ebola reaching its shores;

“Today, as part of the Department of Homeland Security’s ongoing response to prevent the spread of Ebola to the United States, we are announcing travel restrictions in the form of additional screening and protective measures at our ports of entry for travelers from the three West African Ebola-affected countries. These new measures will go into effect tomorrow (…) Today, I am announcing that all passengers arriving in the United States whose travel originates in Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea will be required to fly into one of the five airports that have the enhanced screening and additional resources in place (…) We currently have in place measures to identify and screen anyone at all land, sea and air ports of entry into the United States who we have reason to believe has been present in Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea in the preceding 21 days” (DHS Press Office, 21.10.2014).

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that public health authorities will begin active post-arrival monitoring of travelers whose travel originates in Liberia, Sierra Leone, or Guinea.  These travelers are now arriving to the United States at one of five airports where entry screening is being conducted by Customs and Border Protection and CDC.  Active post-arrival monitoring means that travelers without febrile illness or symptoms consistent with Ebola will be followed up daily by state and local health departments for 21 days from the date of their departure from West Africa” (CDCP, 22.10.2014).

Multilateral organizational response to health issues recently:

IMF addresses first: “The strong growth trends of recent years in the sub-Saharan Africa region are expected to continue. The region’s economy is forecast to continue growing at a fast clip, expanding by about 5 percent in 2014, the same level as in 2013, and accelerating to around 5¾ percent in 2015, underpinned by continued public investment in infrastructure, buoyant services sectors, and strong agricultural production. This growth momentum is particularly pronounced in the region’s Low-Income Countries, where activity is forecast to accelerate to 6¾-7 percent in 2014-15” (…)”This positive picture, however, co-exists with the dire situation in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, where, beyond the unbearable number of deaths, suffering, and social dislocation, the Ebola outbreak is exacting a heavy economic toll, with economic spillovers starting to materialize in some neighboring countries” (…)”In the countries currently affected by the Ebola outbreak, fiscal accounts are coming under considerable pressure. Ideally, support should be provided through grants from the donor community, to enable the countries to accommodate higher Ebola-related spending and to help avoid an even more pronounced decline in economic activity. However, when grants are not immediately forthcoming, and provided that the public debt levels remain manageable, fiscal deficits should be allowed to widen, subject to the availability of financing” (IMF, 20.10.2014)

Tostan addresses secondly: “Guinea has been confronted with the serious Ebola epidemic which, due to the surprising apparition of the disease and the unpreparedness of health authorities, has taken the lives of an unprecedented number of families and health workers. Despite preventative measures taken by Guinean authorities with the support of development partners, Ebola persists in the country” (…)”Using our approach of organized diffusion, 17 Tostan supervisors will hold educational discussions in local languages to raise awareness on the Ebola virus. 2,784 community members from 116 Community Management Committees (CMCs) and the Local Council for Children and Families (CLEF – in French) will educate their relatives, friends, and at least three districts and neighboring villages” (…)”Other preventative measures include the distribution and installation of hand-washing kits in each Tostan office in Conakry, Labe, and Faranah by the National Coordination of Tostan Guinea. The Governor and Prefect of Faranah, who visited the regional Tostan office, congratulated Tostan for putting in safety measures to help prevent the spread of Ebola amongst the staff and the 116 partner communities, as well as acknowledging the hundreds of other adopted communities reached through organized diffusion” (Tostan, 20.10.2014).

UNFPA addresses it as a third: “The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) today reaffirmed its commitment to a partnership with Amref Health Africa aimed at improving the health of women and children in Africa. Speaking at the exchange of a signed Memorandum of Understanding that makes Amref Health Africa an implementing partner for UNFPA in Africa, Dr Laura Laski, Chief of Sexual and Reproductive Health at UNFPA, said the partnership intended to strengthen health systems by training midwives to building their capacity to respond to health issues, particularly those related to maternal, neonatal and adolescent health” (…)”She emphasised that high maternal mortality in Africa is an unfinished agenda of the Millennium Development Goals, and one of the critical issues that will be discussed at the Amref Health Africa International Conference to be held in Nairobi from November 24-26. She urged African governments to increase their commitment and contribution to health development, as well as individuals, corporates and institutions” (UNFPA, 23.10.2014).

WHO addresses is a fourth: “WHO convened a meeting with high-ranking government representatives from Ebola-affected countries and development partners, civil society, regulatory agencies, vaccine manufacturers and funding agencies yesterday to discuss and agree on how to fast track testing and deployment of vaccines in sufficient numbers to impact the Ebola epidemic” (…)”Results from phase 1 clinical trials of most advanced vaccines are expected to be available in December 2014 and efficacy trials in affected countries also will begin in this timeframe, with protocols adapted to take into consideration safety and immunogenicity results as they become available” (…)”Pharmaceutical companies developing the vaccines committed to ramp up production capacity for millions of doses to be available in 2015, with several hundred thousand ready before the end of the first half of the year” (…)”Community engagement is key and work should be scaled up urgently in partnership between local communities, national governments, NGOs and international organizations” (WHO, 24.10.2014).

African Development Bank group together with a collective or affiliates is the five one to address it: “Leaders of three Pan-African institutions – the African Union Commission’s Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the African Development Bank’s Dr Donald Kaberuka, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa’s Dr. Carlos Lopes – concluded a solidarity tour on Friday 24 October 2014 in Conakry, Guinea” (…) ”They met with Heads of Government, cabinet Ministers, parliamentarians, civil society and media in the affected countries, as well as with leaders of two neighbouring countries, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Ghana also hosted the delegation in its capacity as the current President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)” (…)”They recognised the stepped up contributions of the international community in providing financial, technical, infrastructural and medical support to the fight against the EVD, and urged all to do still more” (…)”the AfDB’s contribution – currently at over 220 million USD – includes supporting the international response, budgetary support for the deployment of health workers from across Africa and the diaspora, as well as supporting the health systems in the three countries, including training local health extension and community workers” (…)”It felt that the virus – and perceptions about it – cannot be allowed to affect the economic prospects of the fastest growing continent. The group strongly believed that the Mano River Basin countries, now at the epicenter of the epidemic, continue to have some of the best economic prospects of the continent. In continuing to call for a lifting of all travel bans, it was pleased to hear that Côte d’Ivoire has resumed flights to Guinea this week, and will do so with Sierra Leone and Liberia in the coming days” (ADBG, 25.10.2014).

RMS Stats on Ebola:

(RMS, 23.10.2014)

(RMS, 23.10.2014)

I think this is all for today! Peace.

Links:

African Development Bank Group: ‘AUC, AfDB and ECA confident that countries will beat Ebola Virus Disease’ (25.10.2014) Link: http://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/article/auc-afdb-and-eca-confident-that-countries-will-beat-ebola-virus-disease-13667/

Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDCP): ‘CDC Announces Active Post-Arrival Monitoring for Travelers from Impacted Countries’ (22.10.2014) Link:  http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/p1022-post-arrival-monitoring.html

DHS Press Office: ‘Statement by Secretary Johnson on Travel Restrictions and Protective Measures to Prevent the Spread of Ebola to the United States’ (21.10.2014) Link: http://www.dhs.gov/news/2014/10/21/statement-secretary-johnson-travel-restrictions-and-protective-measures-prevent

IMF: ‘IMF Projects Robust Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, Amid Shifting Global Forces’ (20.10.2014) Link: http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2014/pr14475.htm

TOSTAN: ‘Tostan involved in awareness raising activities on Ebola in Guinea’ (20.10.2014) Link: http://www.tostan.org/news/press-release-tostan-involved-awareness-raising-activities-ebola-guinea

UNFPA: ‘UNFPA and Amref Health Africa seal Partnership to Boost the Health of Africa’s Women and Children’ (23.10.2014) Link: http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/unfpa-and-amref-health-africa-seal-partnership-boost-health-africa-s-women-and-children

WHO: ‘WHO convenes industry leaders and key partners to discuss trials and production of Ebola vaccine’ (24.10.2015) Link: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2014/ebola-vaccines-production/en/

RMS: ‘RMS Develops World’s First Probabilistic Model of West African Ebola Outbreak, Finds Current Outbreak Has Potential to be Deadliest Infectious Disease Event in a Century’ (23.10.2014) Link :http://www.rms.com/about/newsroom/press-releases/press-detail/2014-10-23/rms-develops-worlds-first-probabilistic-model-of-west-african-ebola-outbreak-finds-current-outbreak-has-potential-to-be-deadliest-infectious-disease-event-in-a-century