By Samira Larbie
Accra, Mar 21, GNA – The European Union and Germany have launched a three-year project to combat corruption in Ghana.
Dubbed “Strengthening the Rule of Law and Fight Against Corruption in Ghana,” the EUR 12.7 million initiative runs from October 2023 to September 2027 under the “Participation, Accountability, and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy” (PAIReD) program.
The project aims to strengthen Ghana’s judicial and law enforcement institutions, improve access to justice, and empower civil society and the media to hold officials accountable.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Jonas Claes, Deputy EU Ambassador to Ghana, said the project would bolster Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts by enhancing institutional capacities and creating conditions that deter misuse of power.
He said that this was crucial because corruption undermined democracy, stifled economic growth, and eroded public trust.
“Team Europe’s partnership with Ghana reflects our shared vision of a society built on justice, accountability, and equal opportunity,” Mr. Claes added.
“This initiative will equip Ghanaian institutions with the tools to combat corruption effectively while empowering citizens to demand transparency,” he added.
Ms. Franziska Jebens, Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy in Ghana, stated that Germany has made anti-corruption and integrity key aspects of its development cooperation.
These principles, she noted, are regarded as essential quality benchmarks and are implemented both as independent projects and as components of good governance initiatives, such as the PAIReD programme, which Germany has consistently supported in Ghana.
Mr. Joseph Whittal, Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), underscored the importance of tackling the root causes of corruption and implementing measures to minimize opportunities for unethical practices.
“The fight against corruption is not a sprint but a marathon,” he stated, calling for vigilance, collaboration, and public education.
Ms. Beauty Nartey, Executive Secretary of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, commended the EU and Germany for supporting civil society organizations.
She stressed the need for government commitment and citizen advocacy to promote accountability.
“CSOs play a pivotal role in the fight against corruption,” she said, urging the public to “resist, reject, and report” corruption.
The project is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ GmbH, in partnership with Ghana’s Ministry of Finance.
The launch involved key stakeholders, including CHRAJ, the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Special Prosecutor, and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
Anti-corruption advocates like the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), and the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) were also present.
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