In a groundbreaking display of civic leadership and intergenerational dialogue, the Bright Future Alliance (TBFA), led by its Executive Director, Bright Ofori, successfully hosted the African Governance and Anti-Corruption Summit 2025 at the University of Ghana.

The summit, held under the theme “Breaking the Chains of Corruption: Empowering the Next Generation for a Brighter Tomorrow through Good Governance,” brought together policymakers, civil society actors, academics, and young leaders from across the continent.

The Special Guest of Honour, Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana, delivered a sobering yet inspiring address, describing corruption as one of the gravest threats to the nation’s development.

“Corruption is not just about stolen money. It robs us of our dignity; it steals from our hospitals, our schools, our roads, and our future,” he declared. “It distorts development, undermines democracy, and deepens inequality,” he said.

As part of Parliament’s commitment to combat corruption, the Speaker announced the introduction of two new national tools for accountability and transparency: the National Integrity Awards, which will honour public officials and institutions demonstrating outstanding ethical conduct, and the Vulture Awards, designed to expose the worst instances of corruption in governance and public service.

He urged young people not to see themselves as future leaders only, but as leaders already shaping today.

“Young people are not future leaders—you are already leading today,” he stated, adding that youth representatives would be included in the award selection teams. He further applauded TBFA’s Executive Director for his vision and bold leadership, describing the summit as “timely, relevant, and driven by the very group whose future is most at risk—the youth” Bagbin added.

A statement from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) was delivered on behalf of Kissi Agyebeng by Albert Akurugu, Director of Asset Recovery and Management. Akurugu reaffirmed the OSP’s mandate to fight corruption at the highest levels and called on citizens to protect the independence of prosecutorial bodies.

He also highlighted the impact of the Youth Against Corruption (YAC) initiative, which has engaged over 10,000 young Ghanaians to raise awareness and train emerging anti-corruption champions.

He assured attendees of the OSP’s readiness to collaborate with civil society organizations like TBFA.

In his keynote address, Bright Ofori emphasized that the fight against corruption must be approached from two critical fronts: prosecution and prevention. While acknowledging the importance of prosecuting corrupt officials, he stressed that prevention offers the most effective long-term results.

“We must start early—educating children in basic schools, universities, and even at home. Creating awareness about corruption from a tender age will shape values, change behaviour, and rebuild our culture from the ground up,” he said.

Ofori called for a reexamination of national education and civic systems in Ghana and across Africa, stating, “At The Bright Future Alliance, our focus is on building a corruption-resistant generation—before they ever touch public office.”

He also endorsed lifestyle audits for politicians and public officials and urged Ghanaians to embrace social sanctioning—a cultural method of holding individuals accountable through public disapproval.

“I am also calling for citizens to adopt social sanctioning. It is a strong weapon any serious society uses to control behaviour and enforce norms,” he asserted.

In a show of unity and commitment to concrete action, Speaker Alban Bagbin joined TBFA executives to officially launch two new anti-corruption initiatives:

Corporations Against Corruption (CAC) – A nationwide campaign targeting both public and private institutions, aimed at embedding integrity into corporate governance. CAC will promote ethics training during employee onboarding, improve procurement practices, and support regular ethical workshops across sectors.

Lawyers for Good Causes (L4GC) – A legal empowerment initiative that unites lawyers and legal professionals offering pro bono services to social justice advocates, civil society organizations, and vulnerable groups facing legal intimidation. The project aims to protect changemakers while advancing justice and meaningful reform.

Closing the event on a powerful note, Frank Quaye, Communications Lead for TBFA, declared: “This is not the end. This is a beginning. We must break the chains of corruption and rebuild a continent that thrives on integrity, fairness, and courage.”

The African Governance and Anti-Corruption Summit 2025 now stands as a defining moment in Africa’s anti-corruption movement—led by youth, backed by institutions, and powered by a shared vision for a fairer future.