Biakoye: The Biakoye District Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Oti Region has organized a town hall meeting aimed at empowering women in the district to understand the rule of law and actively participate in the fight against corruption.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event, themed 'Strengthen the Rule of Law and the Fight Against Corruption', gathered 70 women, including market women, hairdressers, dressmakers, apprentices, and other female community members at Nkonya-Ntumda. Reverend Leonard Aglomasa, the District Director of NCCE, addressed the audience, identifying corruption as the abuse of power for personal gain, citing bribery, fraud, nepotism, favoritism, extortion, and tax evasion as prevalent forms.
Rev. Aglomasa emphasized the critical need for civic awareness and collective action to combat corruption. He articulated that the initiative's goal was to educate and empower women to comprehend the importance of the rule of law and their role in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance. Participants were informed about their legal rights and the available avenues to seek justice.
The Director highlighted that empowerment begins with knowledge, stating, "When women understand their rights, they can stand up against injustices and demand accountability." He explained how corruption disproportionately affects marginalized groups, particularly women, by restricting their access to resources, public services, and economic opportunities.
The event included interactive sessions where participants shared personal experiences and proposed measures to enhance transparency and accountability in their communities. Many attendees praised the NCCE and its partners for the initiative and advocated for the expansion of such programs to include men and workplace settings.
Mr. Larry Doe Klatsi, the District Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), also addressed the gathering, outlining key legal frameworks available to protect women and encourage reporting of corruption. He referenced several acts, including the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and the Domestic Violence Act, as tools for women to seek justice and report corrupt acts.
Mr. Klatsi stressed the importance of ongoing public education and awareness of these laws and called for stronger collaboration between government institutions and civil society organizations to support women facing corruption-related challenges.
Nana Akrasi Boahema Ampem II, Queenmother of Nkonya-Ntumda, expressed gratitude to the NCCE and stakeholders for the initiative. She highlighted that corruption remains a significant obstacle to national development and called for similar engagements in other communities and workplaces to unify efforts in combating corruption.
The project is commissioned by BMZ, SECO, co-funded by the European Union (EU), and implemented in partnership with the GIZ.
