By Yussif Ibrahim
Manso Nkwanta (Ash), July 26, GNA – Pupils of the Manso Nkwanta D/A Primary and Junior High School (JHS) have pledged to uphold honesty and integrity in their daily lives as part of efforts to combat corruption in the country.
The pledge was made during activities organised to commemorate this year’s African Union Anti-Corruption Day, on the theme: “Scaling Up the Promotion of Integrity and Anti-Corruption Action Across Africa.”
The event, organised by the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), also formed part of activities marking the Coalition’s 25th anniversary celebration.
It brought together 301 pupils, comprising 160 boys and 141 girls, as well as teachers at the school.
Ms Eva Asare, a member of the Local Accountability Network (LANet), who addressed the gathering on behalf of Mrs Beauty Emefa Narteh, Executive Secretary of GACC, said the promotion of integrity and the fight against corruption required the involvement of all citizens, including schoolchildren.
She noted that the LANet initiative last year reached more than 23,000 students in 40 districts across all 16 regions of the country.
Ms Asare announced that the programme would be expanded to 85 districts nationwide to provide more opportunities for young people to become ambassadors of integrity and accountability.
She encouraged the pupils to see themselves as champions of ethical behaviour in their homes, schools, and communities.
As part of the sensitisation programme, the pupils were educated on the provisions of the Whistleblower Act, 2006 (Act 720) and the Witness Protection Act, 2018 (Act 975), which provide safeguards for individuals who report wrongdoing.
They were informed that whistleblowing was not an act of betrayal but a courageous step that helped prevent corruption, protect public resources and ensure accountability.
The pupils were also taken through the various channels available for reporting corruption, including the Ghana Police Service, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, traditional authorities and school authorities.
Teachers at the school commended the GACC for the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that would help instill values of honesty, transparency and accountability among the younger generation.
They expressed the belief that sustained anti-corruption education in schools would contribute significantly to nurturing responsible citizens committed to national development.
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Yussif Ibrahim