Accra, June 15, GNA - Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), on Tuesday tasked Civil Society Organizations (CSO), to adhere to the tenets of transparency and accountability to hold public officers and institutions accountable.

Mr Vitus A. Azeem, GII Executive Secretary, said that officials of CSOs must ensure that their organizations adhere to these tenants and exhibit high level of transparency and accountability to the workers, their target groups, sponsors, and the nation before they can fight for others. He said "As an important segment of a corrupt society civil society is not devoid of corruption," at a public forum, organized by Ghana Academe of Arts and Science (GAAS in Accra on the general theme: "Governance in Ghana; Challenges to Administrative Justice, Anti-Corruption and Access to Justice". Mr. Azeem said that the Global Corruption Barometer (GCB 2009), a report by Transparency International, revealed that there was a rising trend in private sector corruption, "a phenomenon that is of growing concern to the general public".

He said that the report indicates that the private sector is perceived to be corrupt by half of the over 73,000 persons interviewed worldwide, a notable increase of 8 percent compared to five years ago. Speaking on "The Role of Civil Society and Private Institutions in Fighting Corruption," Mr Azeem said bribery of public officials by the private sector is often used to shape policies and regulations to favour companies.

"This is termed state capture, a situation whereby powerful organizations or wealthy individuals exercise their influence (capture) over the regulations, institutions, or policies of their country, resulting in their own benefit.

"State capture, as a form of legal corruption, has featured in the financial crisis, resulting in failures of oversight, regulation and disclosure in the financial services sector," he said. Mr. Azeem admitted that the development and role of civil society in the fight against corruption is still vital."this can only be successful when public awareness is created and the citizenry are sensitized about the negative effects of corruption and how to deal with the canker". He said that public awareness rising and education on corruption is crucial in helping individuals to identify and report corrupt behaviours. Mr. Azeem noted that CSOs engaged in anti-corruption work have successfully delivered public education on corruption and brought the issue of corruption to the doorsteps of the ordinary Ghanaian through their anti-corruption activities.

He commended activities of Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice, National Commission for Civic Education, GII, Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition among others for their active role in the creation of awareness and public education on corruption in Ghana. 16 June 10