Representatives from Kenya, Namibia and other African countries will attend the conference
Heads of anti-corruption agencies in Commonwealth Africa have started converging in Accra, Ghana, ahead of the 14th Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies.
Representatives from over 21 African countries' anti-corruption agencies within Commonwealth Africa have started arriving in Accra ahead of the event.
The four-day event, from May 6 to 10, 2024, under the theme "Strengthening Institutions and Promoting Transparency: A Means of Fighting Corruption in Commonwealth Africa," is expected to attract over 120 delegates.
This year's annual conference, organised by Ghana's Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), is graced by representatives from Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Rwanda, Togo, Gabon, Mauritius, Seychelles, Uganda, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, and Zambia.
COP Maame Yaa Addo-Danquah, Executive Director of EOCO, revealed at a media briefing that the Keynote Speaker for the opening ceremony will be President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, while Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is billed to speak on 'Digitalization as a tool to combat corruption, signaling Ghana’s readiness to leverage technology in its anti-corruption efforts.'
This is the second time Ghana is hosting the event, and other stakeholders such as governmental agencies, civil society organizations, and international partners will be in attendance.
"Gabon and Togo are the new additions to the Commonwealth countries, so they are also joining from Francophone countries," she said.
COP Addo-Danquah reaffirmed the country's dedication to fostering integrity and accountability on the continent, thereby setting the stage for collaborative action against corruption.
Heads of anti-corruption agencies in the Commonwealth are hosted by different member countries on a rotating basis. Since 2011, a total of 13 meetings have been held.
One was held in Mahé, Seychelles, in 2023 under the theme "Uniting Commonwealth Africa in the Fight Against Corruption" and was officially opened by President Wavel Ramkalawan of the Republic of Seychelles.
