A Ghana-Anti Corruption Coalition (GACC) study on fiscal transparency and accountability demands of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to government has revealed that some of the demands are ”done”, some ”partly addressed” ”others ”on-going”, while some are completely ”stalled”.
Anti-Corruption Crusader, Vitus Azeem who presented the study said it is important that CSO’s do not only persist with demands on government, but also track the requests to ensure government response and the way forward.
“Civil Society’s fiscal transparency and accountability demands on the government, the extent of government response and the way forward” discussion is part of an OXFAM International-funded project titled “Citizens Action for Public Accountability and Pro-Poor Spending”.
GACC’s aim is that it rekindles the civic spirit for citizens activism in combating fiscal injustice.
Mr. Azeem pointed out that although the office of the Special Prosecutor has been created, there are calls for the office to be ”adequately resourced to function well”. To this end CSO’s call for the speedy and transparent investigations into corruption can be said to be partially addressed.
In Mr. Azeem’s view, CSO’s call to use innovation and technology to reduce corruption are on-going. He mentions the paperless processes at the ports and some government institutions and the start of the digital address system among others as examples.
Board Chairman of GACC, DR. Franklin Oduro agreed that it is prudent for citizens to be actively involved in knowing how government raises money and how the money is spent.
The question also arose as to what extent does government’s expenditure truly reflects transparency, accountability and to a large extent how does it benefit the people.
Board Chair of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, Dr. Franklin Oduro was particularly concerned that based on media reports it is clear that poor Ghanaians are still left marginalized when it comes to provision of resources.
Conveners of the round table, the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) intends to continue with its transparency and accountability demands on the government with the view to increase activism in combating fiscal injustice, especially until election 2020 .
BY: Rebecca Ekpe – Radio Ghana.
