GACC engages civil society groups, youth leaders in fight against corruption in Northern region

The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), a non-governmental organization, has collaborated with civil society groups and youth leaders in the Northern region to combat corruption in the country.

This initiative aims to strengthen the advocacy role of civil society organizations in promoting accountability and the rule of law in Ghana.

The training sessions, which took place in Yendi, Kumbungu, Savelugu, and the Tatale-Sangule District, were part of the "Strengthening Accountability, Rule of Law, and Institutional Responsiveness in Ghana" project, supported by the European Union (EU). Mrs. Beauty Emefa Narteh, the Executive Director of GACC, emphasized the importance of citizen involvement in the fight against corruption, highlighting that corruption undermines development, governance, and public trust in Ghana.

Mrs. Narteh stated, "Through this project, we aim to educate and empower citizens to understand the corruption situation in Ghana and the importance of actively addressing this challenge. Many citizens do not recognize how corruption negatively impacts them, and our goal is to raise awareness about its detrimental effects on the country's development."

She encouraged citizens to utilize laws and institutions such as the Office of the Special Prosecutor, the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and the Right to Information Act to combat corruption and contribute to the nation's growth and development.

Mrs. Narteh noted that participants are beginning to realize the impact of corruption on their lives. She explained that normalizing corruption increases the cost of service delivery, diverting state resources into private pockets instead of being used for national development. Additionally, electoral corruption results in expensive elections, as politicians prioritize winning power over integrity. She advised politicians to make realistic promises to avoid future accountability issues.

Representing the trainees, Mr. Farouk Alhassan pledged that the knowledge gained would be implemented in their localities. He advocated for similar annual training across the country to heighten the awareness of civil society organizations and the youth.

Mr. Ahmed Tijani Mahamud, the District Director of CHRAJ, urged participants to work within their communities to minimize corruption. He encouraged the public to report corruption cases to relevant authorities like CHRAJ. He noted that cultural and religious factors often prevent residents from addressing corruption. Mr. Ahmed expressed hope that the training would change this mindset, with the support of civil society groups and participants.

He urged residents to trust the institutions tasked with addressing corruption complaints. Janet Ameseya, the Kumbungu District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education, praised the training organizers and stressed that fighting corruption is a collective responsibility. She urged participants to disseminate the information within their communities and youth groups, emphasizing that relying solely on government officials is insufficient.

Other partners for the project include CDD-Ghana and GII.