Kwamekrom: The Reverend Leonard Aglomasa, Biakoye District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has called on the youth of the district to be vigilant and hold public officials accountable in the fight against corruption. He emphasized that corruption hinders development, leading to inadequate infrastructure such as schools under trees, insufficient health facilities, and poorly maintained roads, leaving basic social amenities unmet for the populace.
According to Ghana News Agency, the call to action was made during a town hall meeting organized for selected youth in Kwamekrom, within the Biakoye District of the Oti Region. Rev Aglomasa highlighted the significance of such meetings as platforms for empowering young people to become champions of change and encouraging them to report any suspicious acts of corruption to law enforcement agencies. He stressed the importance of engaging young people in discussions about the impact of corruption on sustainable development and fostering a culture of integrity and accountability.
Rev Aglomasa further explained that corrupt practices not only divert essential resources meant for public welfare but also hinder the nation's growth and development. He urged the youth to uphold values of good governance and integrity to build a future where corruption has no place.
Mr. Festus Awudi, District Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Biakoye District, also addressed the meeting, stating that corruption undermines public trust in institutions and adversely affects the delivery of essential services, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations. He highlighted the potential violation of rights, including access to services, freedom of expression, and the right to justice, resulting from corrupt practices.
Mr. Awudi called for active community participation in reporting and combating corruption through mechanisms such as the Whistleblower Act, encouraging individuals to report without fear of reprisal. He emphasized the need for increased public awareness and education on corruption and human rights, empowering citizens to recognize their rights and understand the detrimental effects of corruption on society.
Throughout the meeting, participants discussed how corruption poses a significant challenge to Ghana's progress, eroding trust in public institutions and undermining the rule of law. They were encouraged to take what they learned back to their communities and foster greater awareness about the corrosive effects of corruption. Participants also explored ways to combat corruption through strengthened legal frameworks, enhanced Whistleblower Protections, effective oversight bodies, public sector integrity, citizen engagement, ethical business practices, and regular auditing and accountability mechanisms.
The engagement was supported by the German International Corporation and the European Union.