Anti-corruption coalition demands government’s commitment on NACAP implementation

Mrs Faustina Djabatey, the Communications Officer of Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), has called on government to reinforce commitments towards implementing the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan to curtail corrupt practices.

She also asked for enforcement of other key anti-corruption conventions including the African Union Convention Against Corruption and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

The Government must also put in place sufficient measures to ensure enforcement of asset declaration and verification, check on illicit enrichment and pass the Conduct of Public Officer’s Bill.

Mrs Djabatey said this after a float in Takoradi to observe the 2019 International Anti-Corruption Day with support from the Open Society of West Africa.

The Day offered an opportunity for participants to deeply reflect on the cost and impact of corruption on Ghana’s development whilst creating awareness on dangers of the practice.

It was on the theme: “United against Corruption” and sought to challenge every citizen of Ghana to unite and say no to corruption.

"Corruption continues to be a problem that has permeated every sector of global economies with its devastating effects," Mrs Djabatey said, stressing that the practice undermined sustainable development and an affront on human rights.

On issues concerning farmers, she said, policymakers and stakeholders in the agricultural sector should desist from acts of corruption such as diverging premix fuel and fertilizers.

Interventions such as Planting for Food and Jobs and cocoa spraying should jealously be guarded against acts of corruption, Mrs Dabatey said, and called for mechanisms to punish perpetrators.

Mobilizing and empowering the youth was also key to ensuring sustainable solutions to combatting corruption.

"This year’s Anti-Corruption Day focuses on the youth and emphasises their role in strengthening accountability and developing innovative solutions to prevent and curb corruption," she said.

As such, the GACC embarked on outreach in schools in 10 regions to caution students against corrupt practices.

It was of the belief that engaging the youth in discussions about ethical behaviour, ways of fighting corruption and encouraging them to demand their rights was the way to go.

"We admonish the youth to desist from corrupt practices and also report officials who demand facilitation fees from you to fast track services. We urge the youth to keep a close and public eye on Government activities as a proven method to keep the Government on the right track."

“We encourage everyone to put to practice the Right to Information Act by demanding information to hold duty-bearers accountable.”