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Government has described as misleading, a report suggesting that Ghana has been ranked third most corrupt country. A survey conducted by Gallup poll in 129 countries with Free Press in 2012, saw Ghana score 89 percent behind Czech Republic and Lithuania. The latest Gallup poll was conducted between April and May 2012 on perception of countries with free and limited press around the world. Ghana was recognized among the countries with free press. Government in a release on Friday however, described the report as "extremely misleading". Below is the full statement issued by government and signed by Deputy Information Minister, Felix Kwaakye Ofosu: Government has noted an extremely misleading story published by myjoyonline.com and broadcast on Joy FM in which they claim that a Gallup poll conducted in 129 countries with Free Press in 2012, ranked Ghana as the third most corrupt country. This story is also repeated on several online portals. A thorough study of the Gallup poll shows that nowhere is it suggested that Ghana is the third most corrupt country among the 129 countries in which the poll was conducted. In fact Ghana ranks much lower than the underlisted countries who are all featured in the poll: Tanzania- (95%) Czech Republic- (94%) Kenya-(93%) Nigeria -(92%) Chad - (92%) Greece -(92%) Uganda- (91%) Kosovo -(90%) Ghana obtained the same score as Cameroon and Bosnia Herzegovina. It is also inaccurate for Joy FM to claim that the Gallup poll was conducted in 129 �Free Press� countries. According to the report on the poll put out by Gallup, the 129 countries were put in three categories namely, �Free Press� Countries, "Partly Free� Press countries and �Not Free Press Countries. Government notes with satisfaction that Ghana was classified in the �Free press� Countries category alongside established democracies like the United States of America, Portugal, Italy, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Australia and Norway -a development which Gallup acknowledges as an �indicator of good governance and development�. Ghana was also one of only two countries in Africa to be classified as �Free Press� countries, the other being South Africa. While government encourages media organizations to take advantage of the unfettered media freedom that exists in the country, it also wishes to admonish them to ensure that truth, accuracy, balance and professionalism are adhered to in their work. Doing so will avert the churning out of clearly misleading reports like the one under reference. As far as corruption itself is concerned, government wishes to assure Ghanaians that it has taken steps to intensify the fight against the canker and remains committed to running an open, transparent and accountable government. FELIX KWAKYE OFOSU DEPUTY MINISTER FOR INFORMATION AND MEDIA RELATIONS **The story published by myjoyonline.com, is not very different from what the Deputy Minister pointed out in his statement. Admittedly the rank of third most corrupt country was not based on the total of 129 countries surveyed as the original story stated, however, the story clearly stated in the last paragraph that "The ranking means that Ghana is now placed third among free press countries with the highest corruption perceptions worldwide."