The Executive Secretary of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), Beauty Emefa Narteh, has called for a collective commitment from Ghanaians to the fight against corruption.
She described corruption as a major obstacle to the country’s development, social justice, and democratic progress.
Speaking on the occassion of the International Anti-Corruption Day, Mrs Narteh stressed that corruption continues to deprive the country of vital resources, weaken institutions, and undermine public trust.
“Every cedi lost is a missed opportunity for better schools, improved healthcare, stronger infrastructure, and decent jobs,” she said.
The theme for this year’s commemoration was “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity.”
The United Nations Day is observed each year on December 9, to raise awareness among people worldwide of the dangers of corruption and to promote integrity, transparency and accountability in the public and private lives.
Campaign
Mrs Narteh recalled that in 2024, the GACC, through its Local Accountability Networks (LANets), implemented youth-focused anti-corruption engagements across 34 districts in 14 regions, reaching approximately 50,000 young people through activities in tertiary institutions, senior high school, faith-based groups, youth groups, and community organisations.
She said, this year, GACC has expanded its youth-focused campaign to 87 districts across all 16 regions of the country to educate young people about the effects of corruption, promote whistleblowing, and foster civic responsibility.
The campaign, she said is being supported by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the GIZ EU-funded PAIReD Programme.
She called on all stakeholders, including parents, teachers, religious leaders, the media, public institutions, civil society, and community leaders, to support the youth in their efforts to fight corruption.
Mrs Narteh also urged young people to take action, saying, "Do not be silent in the face of wrongdoing. Commit to the 3Rs of fighting corruption: Resist, Reject, and Report corruption."
