By: Regina Kwapong
As the country gears itself towards election, the issue of transparency, accountability and fairness with the public purse will be a critical decider in the ballot box. In a bid to tackle corruption head-on, the Ghana Anti-corruption Coalition, GII, has led a conversation that has become one of the political cankers over the decade.
Under the theme “Elections and Anti-corruption”, stakeholders and leaders of various political parties were put together to help in the discussion.
In her welcome address, the Executive Secretary of Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, Mrs. Beauty Emefa Narteh, emphasized the imperative of this initiative.
She underscored Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index findings, indicating Ghana’s stagnant progress in combating corruption since 2020.
The IMF’s last report highlighted governance effectiveness as a key stumbling block, despite Ghana’s comparatively strong governance indicators among regional peers.
Speaking on corruption, the Founder and Senior Partner of AB & David Africa, Dr. David Ofosu-Dorte emphasized the critical role of promoting transparency in public procurement to combat corrupt practices.
He highlighted that existing laws are often used as excuses for inefficiency and non-performance, suggesting that the creation of laws can unconsciously create opportunities for corruption, contributing to economic challenges like inflation and high exchange rates.
Additionally, the Executive Director of Ghana Integrity Initiative, Mrs Mary Addah addressed the need for public officials to uphold transparency and be accountable to the citizens who entrusted them with power.
Emphasizing the constitutional principle that power resides with the people, he stressed the importance of citizens exercising their authority to hold public servants accountable for their actions.
The Founding President and CEO of IMANI, Mr Franklin Cudjoe, also in his speech highlighted the crucial role civil society actors play alongside investigative journalists in battling corruption. He pointed out that existing political party manifestos lack a thorough examination of the root causes of corruption, indicating a need for more focused attention on this issue.
Furthermore, the Executive Director of WACSI, Dr. Nana Asantewa Afadzinu, underscored the significance of integrity in combatting corruption within Ghana.
She emphasized the importance of selecting leaders based on their integrity and advocated for the establishment of a culture of honesty and integrity that transcends mere political promises.
