Africa-Press – Ghana. The Awutu-Effutu-Senya East Municipal Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), in collaboration with the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), has observed the International Anti-Corruption Day, schooling students of Lama Linda SDA and Emmanuel Presby Basic and JHS in Kasoa on effects of corruption.
The sensitisation exercise, supported by William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and GIZ EU funded PAIRed Programme, dubbed “Uniting with youth against corruption: shaping tomorrow’s integrity” was aimed at instilling anti-corruption values in the youth and encouraging them to uphold integrity, transparency and accountability in their daily lives.
Mrs Jemima Andoh-Darbah, Assistant Director of NCCE, told the students that the theme resonated deeply with GACC’s work, which over the years, continuously empowered young people with knowledge, values and confidence to uphold integrity and accountability.
She highlighted the dangers of corruption and its negative manifestations, including bribery, nepotism, fraud, embezzlement and conflict of interest.
She also took them through Ghana’s legal framework for fighting corruption, particularly the Whistleblowers Act, 2006 (Act 720), and the Witness Protection Act, 2018 (Act 975), which provided confidentiality and protection for individuals who reported corruption and related offences.
During an interactive session, the understanding of the students on corruption and its related practices were assessed and with some of the students describing embezzlement as diverting funds meant for public projects into personal use.
Others also explained extortion as illegally taking money from people in exchange for favours.
Mrs Andoh-Darbah based on their responses, educated them on corruption, nepotism and favouritism and introduced them to the concept of whistleblowing, explaining its benefits and stressing that reporting corruption helped protect public resources and promoted fairness.
She also urged the Teachers to provide the needed support to the students to be able to accomplish this education to grow to become responsible adults and patriotic citizens.
In a message delivered on behalf of Mrs Beauty Emefa Narteh, Executive Secretary of GACC by Madam Mary Nyamekye Ankrah, the Municipal NCCE Director, revealed that in 2024, which was an election year, GACC through its local Accountability Networks (LANets), implemented youth focused Anti-Corruption engagements across 34 districts in 14 regions.
It therefore reached out to more than 50,000 young people through activities in tertiary institutions, senior high schools, faith-based groups and community organisations.
According to her, these efforts were strengthened by targeted social media campaign that expanded national reach and deepened public dialogue on electoral integrity, vote buying and election related corruption.
“Building on this strong foundation is with the aim to educate the young people about the effects of corruption, promote whistleblowing and foster civic responsibility, as citizens commit to transparency and accountability.”
She urged the youth not to be silent in the face of wrongdoings, but be bold to resist, reject and report corruption since they were not only leaders of tomorrow but defenders of integrity today.
Publicity material on corruption such as flyers, pens, posters and T. Shirts was given out to students.
Later in an interview with the GNA, Madam Ankrah, she stated that this year’s celebration focused on the youth because they were the agents of change and future leaders.
“If we catch them young and instil the right values, they will grow up knowing that corruption is wrong and that public resources must be managed responsibly.” she noted.
The students also advocated for continuous engagements to deepen their awareness and to extend similar programmes to other schools to be equip many youths to help build corruption free society.
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