By Solomon Gumah, GNA
Tamale, May 1, GNA – The Northern Regional Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) with support from the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and the European Union (EU) has inaugurated executives of the Civic Education Club of the Tamale School of Hygiene to strengthen anti-corruption advocacy among students.
It formed part of efforts by the NCCE to nurture a new generation of civic-minded leaders committed to upholding democratic values and combating corruption in Ghana.
The newly sworn-in executives are Mr Gabriel Idoonyan, President; Miss Hassana Salifu, Vice President; Mr Mubarak Inusah, Organizer, Mr Bruhani Ibrahim, Secretary, and Mr Benjamin N-beenaba, Treasurer.
The inauguration was held under the NCCE’s “Civic Engagements on the Rule of Law and the Fight Against Corruption” programme, implemented through the Accountability and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIRed) initiative.
Alhaji Aliu Mohammed, Northern Regional Director, NCCE, speaking during the event, said it sought to empower students as civic ambassadors to champion integrity and accountability in their schools and communities.
He said corruption remained a major impediment to national development, adding there was need to catch them young by equipping students with the knowledge and values required to resist and report corrupt practices.
He said “We want to engage our students who are members of the Civic Education Club to actively participate in the fight against corruption. They are ambassadors in their various schools and communities.”
Alhaji Mohammed explained that building active and vigilant citizens was critical to sustaining Ghana’s democracy and said when citizens are well-informed and alert, leaders would be more accountable in their service to the people.
He said the students had been taken through practical sessions on identifying and reporting corrupt acts as well as the institutions responsible for handling such reports.
He said “In the past, people were afraid to report corruption due to lack of protection. Today, there are laws that protect whistleblowers, and this gives citizens the confidence to speak up.”
Mr Abdul Wahab Abdul Wasiu, an investigator from the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Northern Region, described corruption as a major public challenge, but was insurmountable.
He identified low public sector wages, lack of transparency, and political interference as key drivers of corruption, and called for collective commitment to address them.
Mr Abdul Wasiu emphasized need for the selection of competent and ethical leaders, enforcement of existing laws, and strengthening of anti-corruption institutions with adequate resources.
He said “We must ensure that laws are not only enacted but enforced. Institutions must be supported with the logistics and finances needed to effectively fight corruption.”
Mr Idoonyan, President of the Civic Education Club, speaking on behalf of the executives, expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in them and pledged their commitment to mobilising their colleagues to support the fight against corruption.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh /Kenneth Odeng Adade