Unite to fight against corruption – GACC urges Ghanaians

The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), has called on Ghanaians to come together and unite their efforts to fight corruption, which had become the bane of national progress.

The coalition said Ghanaians should be bold and make concerted declaration that seeks to resist, reject, report and punish corruption at all levels.

Ms. Faustina Djabatey, the Communication Assistant Officer of the Coalition, who made the call, said corruption continued to pose a serious threat to the development, peace and security as well as the progress of the country.

It exacerbated poverty, thwarts development, undermined the very principles of democracy and good governance, which formed the bedrock of modern societies, she added.

Speaking to journalists in Kumasi after a float on some principal streets to mark this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day celebrations, she pointed out that “corruption was a brutal monster which needed to be kicked out in society”.

“Corrupt practices have caused financial loss, claimed lives and properties of the state. Corruption can kill our country and was time everybody to galvanize efforts to eradicate the menace”, she emphasized.

This year’s celebration was held under the theme “United Against Corruption for Development, Peace and Security”.

Ms. Djabatey said this year’s theme appropriately challenged every citizen to reflect, rethink and pledge to say no to corruption.

She said the GACC was calling on the government and parliament to ensure the speedy passage of the Right To Information (RTI) law, to allow citizens access public information, particularly those on budgets, contracts, foreign agreements as well as procurement, to deepen transparency and accountability in public governance.

The GACC said it was also advocating for the effective implementation of the National Anti-corruption Action Plan (NACAP) as well as other anti-corruption conventions such as the African Union Convention Against Corruption, (AUCAC) and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in the country.