GACC urges youth to support fight against corruption

By Daniel Agbesi Latsu, GNA  

Jasikan (O/R), Dec.10, GNA – The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) has appealed to young people, particularly those in schools to take an active stand against corruption and refuse to remain silent in the face of wrongdoing.  

The call was made during the commemoration of the 2025 International Anti-Corruption Day, held with learners of St. Peter Claver R.C. Junior High School (JHS) and Jasico Demonstration JHS in the Jasikan Municipality of the Oti Region.  

 Mrs Beauty Emefa Nartey, Executive Secretary of GACC, delivered the message, which was read on her behalf by Madam Comfort Tsaku, Kadjebi Chairperson of the Local Accountability Network (LANet).  

Mrs Nartey emphasised that the annual observance of Anti-Corruption Day served as a reminder for Ghanaians to renew their collective commitment to combating corruption-a pervasive national challenge that undermined development, weakened state institutions, heightened inequality, and eroded public trust.   

She stressed that corruption disproportionately affects the youth, whose aspirations and opportunities were hindered when systems meant to support them were compromised.  

Addressing this year’s theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” Mrs Nartey noted that the message aligned strongly with GACC’s mandate.  

Over the years, the Coalition had invested heavily in equipping young people with values, knowledge, and the confidence needed to promote integrity and accountability, she said.   

According to her, nurturing Ghana’s future begins with shaping the conscience of today’s youth.  

Reviewing activities carried out in 2024, Mrs Nartey revealed that GACC, through LANet, engaged young people in 34 districts across 14 regions, reaching an estimated 50,000 youth. These engagements included interactions in tertiary institutions, senior high schools, faith-based organisations, and community groups.   

The initiative was further amplified by a strategic social media campaign that deepened national conversation on electoral integrity, vote-buying, and election-related corruption.  

Building on these accomplishments, GACC intended to significantly scale up its youth-focused outreach in 2025.   

The campaign would be expanded to 87 districts across all 16 regions, aiming to create broader awareness of the harmful effects of corruption while promoting whistleblowing, responsible citizenship, and transparency. A renewed digital campaign would also be rolled out to elevate youth voices and spread anti-corruption messaging across social media platforms.  

Mrs Nartey urged learners to internalised and apply the 3Rs—Resist, Reject, and Report—as practical steps in confronting corruption.  

 She encouraged them to recognise their dual roles as today’s defenders of integrity and tomorrow’s leaders.  

Supporting this call, Ms Emma Asilevi, a member of the Kadjebi LANet, advised students to confidently report corruption, but to exercise discretion by keeping their reports confidential to avoid retaliation.  

 She directed them to institutions such as CHRAJ, EOCO, the Police, the Office of the Special Prosecutor, and other trusted authorities.  

International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD), observed annually on 9th December, is a global call to promote transparency, accountability and integrity in the fight against corruption, under the United Nations Convention against Corruption.  

The event and accompanying activities were supported by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the GIZ/EU-funded PAIReD Programme, which continue to play a major role in strengthening anti-corruption efforts across the country.  

GNA  

Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah