By Laudia Sawer, GNA
Accra, Sept. 29, GNA – The Adentan Municipal office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has held a town hall meeting at Ashiyie for selected youth on the rule of law and the fight against corruption.
The meeting, organised with support from the European Union (EU) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, brought together dressmakers, hairdressers, petty traders and mechanics.
Mrs. Sylvia Osei-Bonsu, NCCE Adentan Municipal Director, serving as a resource person, reiterated the need for Ghanaians, especially the youth, to join in the fight against corruption, stating that the youth should not be passive citizens, urging them to report corrupt practices to the relevant institutions.
Chief Inspector Francis Quainoo of Adentan Police Station explained in detail the need for all citizens to be law-abiding at all times, indicating that the law enforcers would not hesitate to apply the law whenever need be.
He further outlined forms of corruption, which include nepotism, cronyism, extortion, conflict of interest, bribery and fraud, among others.
Madam Araba Diaba, Head of the Madina Office of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), educated the participants on the functions of her outfit and the Whistleblowers Act.
Madam Diaba said CHRAJ investigates violations of fundamental human rights by protecting and promoting the fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.
She added that they also investigate complaints received from citizens on administrative injustice and unfair treatment by public officers in the exercise of their duties, as well as investigating corruption, abuse of power and misuse of public funds.
She said to foster a culture of accountability and integrity, CHRAJ engages the public through publications, lectures and symposia.
Touching on the Whistleblowers Act, she stated that the Act protects citizens from harm after reporting crimes and therefore urged participants to report suspicious activity to the police.
She, however, cautioned the public to desist from reporting assumptions or framing up stories, stressing the need to be sure if a crime had been committed before reporting.
GNA
Kenneth Odeng Adade