National Anti-Corruption competition launched

Accra, Oct. 16, GNA - Nana Kobina Nketia V, Paramount Chief of Essikado Traditional Area, on Tuesday launched an Anti-Corruption Slogan and Art Competition in the Ghanaian local Languages. The competition, which was commenced in Accra is being organized by the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition with the aim of educating children about corruption and encourage them to adopt positive attitudes that could eliminate the social canker.

The competition is targeting children between 12 and 18 years to widen the scope for the discussion of corruption.

Nana Nketia told the students from selected schools in the Greater Accra Region that they could fight corruption when they desist from immoral acts such as examination malpractices or giving out gifts with the hope to be favoured or to bend the rules.

"I can only imagine what is going to happen next month with the young ones foraging and rummaging for answers to questions on corruption so that their ideas may be crystallized into iconic pictures and pithy slogans."

Nana Nketia observed that corruption, nurtured impoverishment, suspicion, instability, decadence, individualism, bad governance and conflict.

"Corruption will spell the doom of our nationhood," he said. He urged parents to encourage their children to get involve in the competition since it would make a contribution in the promotion of ethics, integrity and accountability and thus enhance character building.

Mrs Florence Dennis, Executive Secretary of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition said winners would be given "exciting prizes including cash." Students can enter the competition by coming out with an art work in crayon, water colour, oil paint, colour pencil, felt pens etc with an appropriate slogan in Ga, Akan, Ewe or Dagbani.

The art work should be original and on an A4 sheet with contestant's name, age, school and address and endorsed by the school authorities or a senior public officer.

The artwork should be posted to the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) or the offices of Centre for National Culture across the country not later than 20th November 2007.

Ms Anna Bossman, Acting Commissioner, Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice and Vice Chairman of GACC who chaired the function pointed out that corruption impedes national progress. She said corruption embodied little things in society such as parents visiting a head master for admission for his or her ward even though the child did not pass his or her examination. Ms Bossman urged the children to make an effort to stop corruption in the society.