We need courageous journalists, civil society activists to fight corruption — CHRAJ
The Commissioner on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Dr Joseph Akanjolenur Whittal, has said that Africa needs courageous journalists, civil society activists and an anti-corruption work protective force to stamp out corruption from the continent.
He said corruption was not an abstract concept but a direct assault to the rights of ordinary citizens, hence, the need for a concerted force to deal with illicit wealth.
Dr Whittal said illicit dissipation of scarce continent resources denied, for instance, a mother from having a hospital bed, a farmer from having a fair market and a window from justice.
The CHRAJ boss was addressing anti-corruption fighters across the world in Accra, yesterday.
The two-day event, which is being organised by Transparency International Ghana, is being attended by national chapters and partners of the anti-corruption body.
The annual event is used to discuss matters of common interest in relation to fighting corruption, accountability, peer learning and planning of collective initiatives on considered thematic areas.
The overall objective is to contribute to a stronger and better coordinated Transparency International movement in Africa.
It also provides a platform for chapters in Africa to, among others, review progress on the implementation of agreed action on regional priority areas.
Correlation
Dr Whittal also said there was a correlation between human rights and the fight against corruption and, therefore, called for a vibrant human rights culture to deal with the menace.
He said Africa was faced with significant financing that lacked transparency, and that it was time for courageous journalists to be encouraged to partner civil society organisations to tackle the cancer.
The CHRAJ boss commended Transparency International Ghana for its indispensable voice in the fight against corruption over the years.
Existential pressure
The Board Chair, Transparency International Ghana, Rev. Emmanuel Ansah, said civil society in Africa was facing severe and complex existential pressures.
He said there was a concerted effort to shrink civic space in many jurisdictions.
"There is increasing danger to independent voices. Disinformation and misinformation are eroding public trust. Funding for advocacy in the public interest has become increasingly uncertain," Rev. Ansah added.
He alleged that journalists and anti-corruption watchdogs were being intimidated.
"Accountability institutions are consistently under-resourced and, in several instances, are squaring it off with political actors in powerful positions.
"We cannot afford to lose what has been gained through the promotion of transparency, access to information, public procurement reform, beneficial ownership disclosure, whistleblower protection, audit accountability, citizen participation, and anti-corruption enforcement," Rev. Ansah added.
Public accountability
In a video message from Tanzania, the Board Chair of the Africa Union Advisory Board Against Corruption (AUABC), Kwame Edem Senanu, said aid to Africa was dwindling as a result of illicit financial flow.
He commended Transparency International Ghana for promoting public accountability and ethical leadership.
Mr Senanu further said that the fight against corruption was a collective responsibility.
