The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) joins the global community to observe International Anti-Corruption Day under the theme “Your Right, Your Role: Say No To Corruption”. The Day has been set aside to create awareness on corruption, its effects, and how to fight the canker. This year’s celebration highlights the rights and responsibilities of all especially governments, lawmakers, the general public, civil and public servants, law enforcement agencies, and the youth in curbing corruption.
In Ghana, corruption remains a setback to national growth and democratic governance. The 1992 Constitution of Ghana states in Chapter 6, Article 35 clause (8) that “The State shall take steps to eradicate corrupt practices and abuse of power”. This instruction under the Directive Principles of State Policy must be embraced by all well-meaning Ghanaians to collectively fight corrupt practices in Ghana. The NCCE reminds state actors and citizens of this directive and urges all to expose acts of corruption either at the workplace, religious settings, traditional and political space. Corruption affects lives and steals from the pockets of citizens. As citizens, it must be the duty of all to work tirelessly to make corruption a high-risk or low-gain venture as we strive to curb the menace.
The NCCE since 2017 under an European Union (EU) sponsored programme, Anti-Corruption, Rule of Law and Accountability Programme (ARAP), actively engaged citizens on Public Accountability, Anti-Corruption, Rule of Law and Environmental Governance as part of efforts to change mindsets and attitudes when it comes to corruption.
The NCCE encourages all Ghanaians to refrain from acts of corruption such as bribery, fraud, embezzlement, extortion among others. Let’s uphold the values of integrity, honesty, discipline and hard work. These values must be prioritized by state actors and the general public in our national life.
The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16:5 and 16:6, highlight the need to reduce corruption in all forms; “substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms” and “develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels” by year 2030. The NCCE charges institutions mandated to curb corruption to join forces with the global community in achieving the SDG targets on corruption.
The NCCE strongly believes that the fight against corruption should be a collective one and it is also imperative to call for a deliberate and sustained national effort to curb corruption. Again, in order to discourage acts of corruption, we must punish individuals who are caught in the act to serve as a deterrent to citizens. The identity of whistleblowers must be protected to encourage others to expose acts of corruption.
God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong!
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