According to ghana news agency:ccording to Ghana News Agency, the programme brought together traditional leaders, government officials, civil society actors, students, and community members, all united in their resolve to reject corruption and uphold integrity. In his address, Togbe Afede said corruption robbed citizens of good schools, hospitals, and roads by diverting resources into private pockets. 'Corrupt officials are like termites eating at the very foundation of our development,' he declared.
The Agbogbomefia linked corruption to rising unemployment, migration, crime rates, inflation, and currency depreciation. He noted, 'Transparency International estimates Ghana loses about three billion dollars annually to corruption. That money could fix our roads, build schools, and provide scholarships.' Togbe Afede also attributed abandoned projects to corrupt practices, noting that funds were often misapplied before works even began, or incoming governments deliberately abandoned projects for political gain.
He, however, commended the President's renewed commitment to completing stalled projects, stressing that national interest must rise above partisan politics. He reflected on development efforts in the Asogli State, highlighting recent youth empowerment initiatives, entrepreneurship programmes, and a Women's Day celebration, all geared towards promoting accountability and fairness. On infrastructure, the Agbogbomefia underscored the importance of durable road construction. 'We do not want to build and rebuild the same road. We want contractors to help us realise our dreams for lasting infrastructure,' he said.
He revealed that the Tema Development Corporation, with support from the Ministry of Works and Housing, would soon begin a housing project in Ho on 1,800 acres of land, expected to be completed within two years. The project, he said, would complement plans for a pilot training school and a hospital to boost health tourism in the Volta Region. Togbe Afede also commended Mr. Mensah Thompson, Deputy Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, for his dedication to the fight against corruption, congratulating him on his new appointment.
'As a stockbroker, he is now my regulator, and I am proud of his dedication to accountability and transparency,' he remarked. Mr. Thompson, who also addressed the gathering, urged young people to cultivate integrity and patriotism, warning that corruption often begins with small acts such as exam malpractice and bribery before growing into systemic dishonesty. Sharing his experience at the Securities and Exchange Commission, he alleged that assets from failed financial institutions had been sold at undervalued prices, undermining public trust. 'I have never seen cars sold for as low as GHS6,000 in my life. That is how our country was destroyed,' he lamented.
Mr. Thompson assured participants that the government remained committed to stabilising the economy, reducing inflation, and safeguarding national resources. He expressed optimism that new policies would create jobs and restore confidence in public institutions. Both speakers stressed that laws alone could not end corruption unless citizens adopted a new attitude of honesty and institutions were adequately strengthened. They urged Ghanaians to stop glorifying unexplained wealth and to demand accountability at all levels of society. Some parents and students at the event also called for the inclusion of anti-corruption education in school curricula, beginning at the basic level, to instill the values of honesty, integrity, and responsibility in young people.
