By Edward Williams
Kwamekrom (O/R), Aug 29, GNA–The Reverend Leonard Aglomasa, Biakoye District Director, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has called on the youth of the district to be vigilant and hold public officials accountable in the quest to fighting corruption.
He noted that corruption delayed development because due to the canker, there were still schools under trees, inadequate health infrastructure, bad roads and many basic social amenities that were still not provided for the citizenry.
During a town hall meeting organised for selected youth held at Kwamekrom in the Biakoye District of Oti Region, Rev Aglomasa said such meetings were vital platforms for empowering the youth to be champions of change and be bold to report any suspicious act of corruption to law enforcement agencies.
He said the meeting aimed to engage young people in discussions about the impact of corruption on sustainable development and the importance of fostering a culture of integrity and accountability.
Rev Aglomasa said corrupt practices do not only divert essential resources meant for public welfare but also stifle the nation’s growth and development.
He said good governance and integrity were crucial for building a future where corruption had no place hence the youth must uphold the values.
Mr Festus Awudi, District Director, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Biakoye District, said corruption undermined public trust in institutions and negatively affected the delivery of essential services, which disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations.
He said such acts could lead to the violation of rights including the right to access services, freedom of expression and the right to justice.
Mr Awudi called for active community participation in reporting and combating corruption through means such as the Whistleblower Act while encouraging individuals to go forward to report without fear of reprisal.
He said there was the need for increased public awareness and education about both corruption and human rights, which would empower citizens with knowledge to recognize their rights and understand the detrimental effects of corruption on society.
Mr Awudi urged the participants to foster a culture of integrity and respect for human rights in the district.
During the meeting, participants explored how corruption continues to pose a significant challenge to Ghana’s progress, eroding trust in public institutions and undermining the rule of law.
There was a call to action encouraging participants to take what they learnt back to their communities and foster greater awareness about the corrosive effects of corruption on society.
Participants also outlined ways to combat corruption through strengthened legal frameworks, enhancement of Whistleblower Protections, implementation of effective oversight bodies, strengthening of public sector integrity, encouraging citizen engagement, promotion of ethical business practices and regular auditing and accountability mechanisms.
The German International Corporation and European Union supported the engagement.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah