A call for youth-driven leadership in the fight against corruption rang out at the 2025 African Governance and Anti-Corruption Summit, held at the University of Ghana.
Organised by the The Bright Future Alliance (TBFA), the event brought together high-level political, legal, academic and civil society figures with young people from across the continent, under the theme: “Breaking the Chains of Corruption: Empowering the Next Generation for a Brighter Tomorrow through Good Governance.”
The Executive Director of TBFA, Mr. Bright Ofori, opened the summit with a passionate appeal for long-term anti-corruption strategies that begin with civic and moral education. “We must start early—educating children in basic schools, universities, and even at home,” he said. “Creating awareness about corruption from a tender age will shape values, change behaviour, and rebuild our culture from the ground up.”
Mr. Ofori argued that prevention through civic education is just as vital as prosecution, calling for a corruption-resistant generation to be developed before they enter public office. He also advocated for lifestyle audits for public officials and the use of social sanctioning to enforce cultural norms of accountability. “It is a strong weapon any serious society uses to control behaviour,” he stated.
Delivering the keynote address, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, described corruption as “not just about stolen money,” but something that “robs us of our dignity; it steals from our hospitals, our schools, our roads, and our future.”
The Speaker announced two major anti-corruption initiatives: the National Integrity Awards, which will celebrate individuals and institutions known for transparency, and the Vulture Awards, designed to publicly highlight serious cases of corruption. “Young people are not future leaders—you are already leading today,” he told the audience, revealing that youth representatives will be involved in both initiatives.
Mr. Albert Akurugu, Director of Asset Recovery and Management at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), reaffirmed the OSP’s commitment to accountability. Representing Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, he pointed to the Youth Against Corruption (YAC) initiative, which has engaged over 10,000 young people. “We are open and willing to collaborate with civil society organisations like TBFA,” he said.
A highlight of the event was a panel discussion moderated by TV3’s Ms. Judith Brown, featuring political and civic voices such as Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah of the NDC, legal practitioner Mr. Martin Kpebu, Prof. Seidu Alidu of the University of Ghana, investigative journalist Mr. David Hundeyin, and TBFA’s Mr. Ofori.
Mr. Asiedu Nketiah called for institutional reform, including a separation of the Attorney-General’s Office from the Ministry of Justice, arguing: “If we are serious about fighting corruption, that is the true path to independence and fairness in prosecution.” He stressed that “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”
Two new initiatives were unveiled: Corporations Against Corruption (CAC), a campaign promoting ethical business practices and accountability in corporate governance; and Lawyers for Good Causes (L4GC), a pro bono legal support scheme for activists and civil society actors.
Closing the summit, TBFA’s Communications Lead, Mr. Frank Quaye, stated, “This is not the end. This is a beginning. We must break the chains of corruption and rebuild a continent that thrives on integrity, fairness, and courage.”
