Mr Peter K. Asuah, Nwabiagya South Municipal Director for the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), has stated that corruption has become a major derailment of the developmental agenda and progress in the 21st century, where most countries are continually and persistently striving to achieve excellence in development.
He noted that corruption continues to ruin the fortunes of countries that engage in it.
Speaking at the 20th anniversary of the United Nations (UN) Convention against corruption, as part of International Anti-Corruption Day at the Atwima Mim Basic School in the Nwabiagya South Municipality in Ashanti region, Mr. Asuah noted that Ghana gained independence decades ago but is still lagging behind countries like Malaysia and Singapore, that gained independence around the same year.
The programme was organised by Ghana Anti-Corruption Agency (GACC) with funding from Osiwa Local Accountability Network (LANET) of Nkawie, a local GACC partner, under the theme: “Uniting the World Against Corruption”.
He stated that it is imperative for the leaders and institutions charged with the responsibility of combating corruption to be proactive in their fight against the canker.
He said the constitution mandates political parties to promote active participation of individuals and groups outside the public sector, in preventing and fighting corruption.
The CHRAJ boss noted that corruption is recognised as a pervasive issue that undermines democratic institutions, hampers economic progress and erodes the rule of law and diminishes the quality of life for citizens worldwide.
Mr Asuah indicated that, Ghana, recognising the debilitating effect of corruption on socio-economic development has made significant strides in the fight against it, by introducing and implementing policies, laws and plans.
He reiterated that, the theme highlights the vital connection between anti-corruption measures, peace, security and development.
He stressed the need for effective collaboration across individuals, institutions and sectors, including government bodies, public officials, law enforcement agencies, media, businesses civil society, academia and the general public to address the adverse consequences of corruption.
He observed that, the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) with support from Good Governance Africa (GGA) and Hewlett Foundation aims at educating and empowering the Ghanaian Youth across the 33 districts in 14 regions on the significance of combating corruption.
The primary objective of the move, he said, is to raise awareness among the youth about the negative impact of corruption and encourage their active participation in anti-corruption endeavours.
Mr Asuah said some strategies, which were designed to fight corruption years back, proved to achieve less or limited results, making it extremely important to introduce a more holistic and reliable approach by CHRAJ, in collaboration with the GACC, GII and other anti corruption agencies to encompass all citizens as duty-bearers in the fight against corruption.
The CHRAJ boss mentioned that some of the causes of corruption include limited commitment to the values of integrity, insufficient enforcement of laws, attitudes and social circumstances that makes average people disregard or circumvent the law, nepotism, love for gifts, unbalanced and unfair remuneration and incentives for different groups of workers or professionals.
He also revealed that some forms of corruptions as bribery, nepotism and favouritism, which effects include the provision of poor quality services in areas such as education, health,
sanitation and electricity.
