A Commonwealth delegation to Africa, which included an Etobicoke MP, examined how the country would implement positive change while battling internal corruption.
    Etobicoke North MP Roy Cullen joined the delegation to Nairobi, Kenya, during a critical time in Africa's history.
    "Our government doesn't  buy giving up on Africa," Cullen said. "They are at a turning point, we believe, in their fights concerning corruption, AIDS and economy."
    The World Bank sponsored the four-day workshops of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association last month. Nearly 30 representatives from commonwealth nations including Canada, Australia, Uganda amd Tanzania attended.
   "We looked at accountability, transparency and corruption issues facing Africa from a Commonwealth  perspective,"  Cullen added. "We want to help them developmental assistance versus just sending money. we want to help them help themselves and we are not going to help if their leaders are filling bank accounts in Switzerland when we send aid."
Joining Cullen were canadian Alliance MP Jphn Gerretsen, provincial  public accounts committee chair.
   
   

"Kenya in particular is recognized as having major problems with governance and corruption," added Cullen. "While we were there the Kenyan government introduced a bill to limit the free press and we spoke out against that".      
     A clear need for free, indepemdent media, a public accounts committee chaired by the official opposition and a strong role for an independent auditor general who reports to parliament were three recommendations the CPA delegation stressed in Nairobi.
   "There is a clear need for all these things, the free press in particular is key to helping keep governments accountable," noted Cullen.
   The Etobicoke North MP will submit a report on the Nairobi workshops to parliament in February.