Dr Akwasi Opong-Fosu, Chairperson of the Africa Global Emergence Centre, has stated that corruption is not destiny, it is a decision that is repeated, tolerated, and reinforced.

He contrasted this with integrity, which he described as a decision that is principled, courageous, and consistent.

Dr Opong-Fosu made these remarks at the Anti-Corruption Roundtable Forum, co-hosted by the Global Chamber of Commerce and the Sonoco International Business Department of the University of South Carolina.

The forum, held under the theme "Towards a New Anti-Corruption Agenda: Lessons from Diverse Stakeholders in Africa and the West," brought together African and Western leaders from the public and private sectors, civil society, and academia.

It provided a platform to explore new issues and solutions to the persistent problem of corruption and its impact on African business.

Dr Opong-Fosu emphasised that effective anti-corruption efforts in a rapidly changing world require a shared understanding of the evolving nature of the problem and a willingness to embrace innovative solutions.

He urged all stakeholders to "speak the truth, even when it is inconvenient; hold themselves and others accountable; and build institutions that will outlast them."

"Let us not just discuss corruption, let us defeat it with policy, with leadership, and with collective resolve," he added.

The former minister described corruption not merely as a bureaucratic failure but as a direct attack on human dignity.

"It robs nations of opportunity, weakens institutions, and undermines public trust," he said.

Dr Opong-Fosu cited global statistics to illustrate the scale of the problem. He noted that corruption drains over $2.6 trillion annually from the global economy, more than 5% of global GDP—and over $1 trillion is lost to bribes each year.

In developing countries, an estimated $1.26 trillion is lost annually, enough to lift 1.4 billion people out of poverty for at least six years.

For Africa alone, the loss is approximately $10 billion every year, funds that could have been used to build hospitals, fund schools, and create jobs.

"But these numbers are not just statistics. They represent stolen medicines and unbuilt roads," he concluded.

How Virtual Reality is enhancing business and customer experience