Wenchi: Mr Francis Cudjoe, the Wenchi Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Bono Region, highlights that weak oversight responsibilities at various public institutions are undermining the nation's fight against corruption. He emphasized the necessity for the nation to bolster its accountability systems to ensure that public resources benefit the people.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Cudjoe made these remarks during an interview on the sidelines of a civic education campaign held at Wenchi. He stressed that individuals lacking moral convictions are more likely to exploit loopholes in the system for personal gain. The campaign, organized by the NCCE, is part of the 'Civic engagement on the rule of law and the fight against corruption project', supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and co-funded by the European Union (EU). This two-year project targets out-of-school individuals aged 18 to 35, aiming to equip them with practical knowledge of civic rights, legal protections within the Whistleblower Act, and their roles in promoting transparency and accountability.
Mr Cudjoe further stated that institutions function better with principled public officials upholding intended processes. The NCCE remains dedicated to raising awareness and promoting core values such as honesty, patriotism, and civic responsibility, which are crucial for building a better nation. He warned that without these values, corruption would persist.
Mr Emmanuel Kwame Sei, the Registrar of the Wenchi Municipal Commission of the Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), underscored the importance of civic responsibility, referring to Article 41(f) of Ghana's 1992 Constitution, which obliges citizens to protect public property and expose misuse of public funds. He noted that the Whistleblower Act 2006 (Act 720) was enacted to protect informants reporting the misconduct of public officials. However, despite the Act, individuals reporting alleged corrupt officials often remain poor.
Mr Sei mentioned that the Wenchi CHRAJ office receives approximately 190 complaints annually, mostly concerning human rights abuses and violations. He urged the public to remain vigilant and report conflicts of interest and other forms of misconduct to the commission.
Mr Christopher Antwi, a mobile phone dealer and participant, described the campaign as enlightening. He noted that attendees gained valuable insights into the Whistleblower Act, corruption, and related offenses.
