By Opesika Tetteh Puplampu
Kasseh-Ada, July 12, GNA - The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), in collaboration with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has commemorated this year’s African Union Anti-Corruption Day (AUACD) with community outreach activities in the Ada East District.
The outreach programmes were aimed at empowering the youth to champion integrity and accountability.
Held on the continental theme: “Youth Against Corruption: Raising Voices for Accountability”, the programme brought together young people, civic educators, and community leaders to deliberate on the impact of corruption and the role of the youth in demanding transparency in public life.
Miss Faustina Blewusi, Ada East District Director of the NCCE, called on the youth to treat the anti-corruption fight as a personal responsibility.
“When you see something wrong, say something, but say it with evidence,” she urged, adding that “whistleblowing must be grounded in truth, not gossip or revenge. We must all strive to be responsible and truthful citizens.”
African Union Anti-Corruption Day, marked every July 11, is a call to reaffirm Africa’s commitment to the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC).
In Ghana, it serves as a reminder of the collective duty to safeguard public resources and uphold integrity in governance.
Miss Blewusi underscored the direct toll of corruption on young people’s lives, spanning from compromised education to dwindling employment opportunities and weakened public services.
“If we want a better future, we must fight for it today,” she declared.
Miss Betty Sackey, a member of GACC’s Local Accountability Networks (LANets), led a practical session on how young people could resist, reject, and report corruption.
“It’s not enough to complain; we must take informed action,” she said, outlining that citizens could report corruption issues to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
Miss Sackey encouraged the youth to be bold and cautious whistleblowers, stressing that “Speak the truth, use the right channels, and protect yourself. Fighting corruption is an act of courage and patriotism.”
She also urged participants to adopt the “3Rs” approach of Resist, Reject, and Report as a daily civic habit.
The sensitisation programme forms part of GACC’s nationwide AUACD campaign, backed by the Hewlett-Packard Foundation, which has reached 40 districts in 16 regions this year alone.
“Don’t wait for international observances to speak up,” she indicated, adding that “Your voice matters in school, at home, and in the community. Together, we can build a Ghana where integrity thrives.”
Both speakers applauded the enthusiasm and active participation of the youth in Ada East and called for sustained vigilance beyond commemorative days.
Through the LANets platform, over 27,000 young Ghanaians across 33 districts have received civic training and anti-corruption education within the last year.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Sawer/Christian Akorlie