Sunyani: Mr. Michael Gyasi-Mensah, the Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Progress Advocacy Ghana, has called on Ghanaians, with a focus on students, to remain vigilant and report any acts of corruption to appropriate institutions.
According to Ghana News Agency, the center, which promotes peace and social cohesion, is committed to combating corruption in public spaces. Mr. Gyasi-Mensah highlighted examination malpractices and bribery as forms of corruption and urged students to report such activities to the police, the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), traditional authorities, or their teachers.
Mr. Gyasi-Mensah emphasized that addressing the corruption issue would negate the need for Ghana to seek financial assistance from international bodies like the International Monetary Fund. He lamented the annual loss of approximately $3 billion due to corruption and noted that a study by CHRAJ indicated that about 20 percent of the nation's budget is wasted because of it.
The call was made during a sensitization forum for students in the Sunyani and Sunyani West Municipalities, marking the African Union Anti-Corruption Day (AUACD) in Sunyani. Organized by the Global Media Foundation (GloMeF) with support from the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), the forum used local 'Twi' dialects to educate students on bribery and corruption.
The AUACD, observed annually on July 11, underscores Africa's commitment to fighting corruption, as defined by the 2003 AU Convention. This year's theme, 'Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparation,' encourages member states to bolster efforts against corruption, viewed as a major barrier to development and a violation of human rights.
Mr. Gyasi-Mensah pointed out how corruption adversely affects national development, evident in poor infrastructure, inadequate educational resources, and overall poor living conditions. He noted that highly educated individuals often face pressure to engage in corrupt practices and urged the youth to promote sound moral principles within their families.
He informed students about the hindrance corruption poses to their growth and progress, stating that it is a significant barrier to socio-economic development. The GACC aims to empower young people to speak out against corruption, advocating whistleblowing as a safe method for promoting accountability and contributing to a fairer society.
Mr. Gyasi-Mensah challenged the youth to boldly oppose corruption and uphold democratic values, urging them to remain vigilant and report corrupt practices. He advised students to commit to their studies by adhering to the '5Ps: principled, proper preparation, prevents, poor, performance' to avoid examination malpractices and reject all forms of corruption.
Ms. Precious Mariam Hamidu from GloMeF encouraged students to focus on their education as a path to becoming effective and trustworthy leaders and public officials. She urged them to be ambassadors in the anti-corruption movement, advocating against corruption, examination malpractice, and bribery.
The students received GACC branded pens, as well as flyers, posters, and stickers on corruption and anti-corruption.
