Accra: Mr Solomon Nyankah, the Monitoring and Evaluation officer of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), has called on citizens to resist, reject, and report incidences of corruption as part of a strategic approach to tackling corruption.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Nyankah emphasized the importance of citizens actively opposing corruption by refusing to participate in or benefit from corrupt acts, and reporting any suspected or confirmed acts to the appropriate authorities. He highlighted these points during a GACC multi-stakeholder forum focusing on the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and other corruption-related issues. Nyankah pointed out several challenges hindering the anti-corruption efforts, including slow judicial processes, limited resources, public expectations, and political interference.
Mr Nyankah noted that the constitution lacks a clear definition of corruption, leading to multiple interpretations and legal loopholes. This, coupled with the burden of proof required by the OSP to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, complicates the fight against corruption. He shared that the OSP has achieved securing seven convictions, has 33 individuals standing trial, and has prosecuted nine cases. Additionally, the OSP has recovered significant funds and suspended transactions, with outreach efforts sensitizing over 22.1 million individuals.
Highlighting the OSP’s roles, Mr Nyankah mentioned it investigates corruption-related offences and disseminates findings under the law. He outlined various corrupt practices, such as bribery, embezzlement, extortion, and nepotism, among others. The forum aimed to enhance public understanding of the OSP, boost education on the Witness Protection Act, and encourage advocacy for legislative changes, such as the Conduct of Public Officers Bill.
Mr Nyankah described the GACC as a coalition comprising 13 public institutions, private sector representatives, and civil society organizations, all united in fighting corruption and promoting good governance. Mr Ernest Amedior, the Hohoe Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education, reiterated the need for citizens to distance themselves from corrupt practices and to educate others about the negative impacts of such behavior. He urged the public to report any persistent wrongdoers to law enforcement agencies for appropriate action.