The National Youth Authority (NYA) has called on the youth in the country and the African Continent to eschew corrupt practices as corruption is the bane to economic growth and national development of every nation.

“Corruption is one of the greatest evil that shakes the backbone of any society. More than a matter of need, corruption has become a subculture, a common practice and a necessary evil. Faced with this trouble, people have grown used to it and it is part of everyday life. If this evil is eradicated from society, the greatest threat to development is over,” Mr Eric Gyan Ansah, the Upper East Regional Director of NYA has said.

He said corruption was rooted in a society where its citizens failed to recognize that the nation and its resources belonged to all and their unborn generation.

Mr Ansah was speaking in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region at this year’s African Youth Day celebration organized by the NYA on Friday.
The celebration, which was on the theme: “Raising Youth Voices against Corruption in Africa,” brought together students from the tertiary institutions, second cycle institutions, basic schools and other youth groups in the region.

The African Youth Day, celebrated annually on November 1, is a day instituted by the African Union Summit Decision EX.CL 292 in Banjul, 2006 to celebrate and recognize the youth as crucial agents for social transformation, economic prosperity and sustainable development across the African Continent.

The day is further aimed at creating an opportunity to channel youth voices, energy and idealism to reinforce the efforts made towards achieving a sustainable development Africa.

According to the Regional Director, the youth, who formed about 60 percent of the nation’s population, were central in the country’s efforts to eliminate corruption and all its forms.

The youth, therefore need to be well informed to help them contribute significantly to this course and called on the youth to be advocates to ending corruption in Ghana, he said.

He urged them to fearlessly campaign against corruption and be courageous to stand for the truth as well as raise their voices against injustice.
In a speech read on his behalf by Mr Mahammudu Azonko, the Regional Coordinating Director, Mr Frank Fuseini Adongo, the Upper East Deputy Regional Minister, said “The youth of the continent remains its best bet for both the present and future desired prosperity.”

He called on all stakeholders to rededicate their services in training the youth to grow to make great impact to society and help build a corruption free country.