Mankessim: The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) has urged young people to stand up, resist, reject and report all forms of corruption to the appropriate authorities. Very Rev. Prof. Mark Nii Lamptey, an Anti-Corruption Ambassador and Campaigner of the GACC, made the call during separate engagements with students of Edumadze M/A A.I. Basic School and All Souls Anglican Basic School at Mankessim to commemorate this year's African Anti-Corruption Day (AACD).
According to Ghana News Agency, the African Anti-Corruption Day is observed annually on July 11 to promote integrity and strengthen the fight against corruption across the continent. This year's celebration was on the theme: 'Scaling Up the Promotion of Integrity and Anti-Corruption Actions Across Africa,' urging renewed efforts to build a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability.
The GACC initiative aimed to provide young people with a platform to discuss corruption and integrity, share their experiences, and explore ways of promoting integrity in their schools and communities. Activities marking the day included school sensitisation sessions on corruption and integrity, interactive open forum discussions with students, and story harvesting to document students' experiences to help foster positive changes in knowledge and attitudes.
The programme was organised by the GACC and the Mfantseman Local Accountability Network (LANet), in partnership with the Lamanconsult Foundation, with support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Participants freely shared their understanding of corruption, its effects on schools and communities, the meaning of integrity, and the role young people could play in promoting integrity and combating corruption.
Following the discussions, facilitators used GACC presentation materials to summarise key issues raised, clarify misconceptions, and reinforce messages on corruption, integrity, and accountability. Very Rev. Prof. Lamptey, who was the lead facilitator, stated that corruption remained a major obstacle to Ghana's development, with its effects evident in inadequate healthcare facilities, poor roads, and other socio-economic challenges across the African continent.
He cited examples of corruption such as abuse of entrusted power for personal gain, examination malpractice, teachers awarding grades in exchange for gifts, bribery, fraud, embezzlement, nepotism, extortion, and conflict of interest. Very Rev. Prof. Lamptey, who is also the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Lamanconsult Foundation, expressed appreciation to the GACC for the partnership and support in empowering young people to discuss corruption and integrity. He also thanked the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation for sponsoring the initiative.
The Headmasters of Edumadze M/A A.I. Basic School and All Souls Anglican Basic School described the theme as timely, considering the extent to which corruption continued to affect the provision of resources to schools and communities. They expressed that the theme, 'Scaling Up the Promotion of Integrity and Anti-Corruption Actions Across Africa,' could not have come at a better time.
The Central Regional Director of Education, Mrs. Juliette Dufie Otami (PhD), and the Mfantseman Municipal Director of Education, Mr. Ransford Appiah, also expressed confidence that the sensitisation would inspire learners to shun corrupt practices wherever they found themselves and encourage them to boldly report all forms of corruption to the appropriate authorities.