Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), the local chapter of Transparency International, has called for an all-out fight against corruption.
Mr. Michael Boadi, the External Affairs Manager, said everybody should accept to be part of the effort to purge the nation of the corrupt practices.
He indicated that the government alone could not do it and needed to be supported by the people. He was speaking at a community sensitization durbar on corruption held at Akutuase near Agogo in the Asante-Akim North District.
The programme was organized by the GII together with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
Mr. Boadi noted that despite numerous legislations and measures introduced to stop the social evil, it had continued to persist, largely because many lacked the courage to report dishonest and criminal conduct.
He said it was imperative for every responsible citizen to join the anti-corruption crusade by not only reporting corrupt practices but to also go to every length to make sure that, the culprits were named, shamed and punished.
He urged the people to desist from offering bribes to public officials for services they “are paid to deliver”, reminding them that, “the giver is as equally guilty as the receiver”.
He counseled public officials to resist the temptation to be corrupted – they should not abuse the power entrusted them for private gains.
Mr. Boadi announced the setting up of an Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre (ALAC) where people could call to report corrupt activities.
He said the ALAC had been providing confidential and professional service to victims and witnesses of corruption – an avenue to report and pursue incidents of corruption for redress.
Mr. Paul Oppong, the Asante Akim Municipal Director of NCCE, encouraged civil society groups, including the media, to help step up the anti-corruption fight.
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