Tamale: The Northern Regional Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), with support from the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and the European Union (EU), has inaugurated the executives of the Civic Education Club at the Tamale School of Hygiene. This initiative aims to strengthen anti-corruption advocacy among students.
According to Ghana News Agency, the NCCE's efforts are directed towards nurturing a new generation of civic-minded leaders dedicated to upholding democratic values and combating corruption in Ghana. The newly sworn-in executives include Mr. Gabriel Idoonyan as President, Miss Hassana Salifu as Vice President, Mr. Mubarak Inusah as Organizer, Mr. Bruhani Ibrahim as Secretary, and Mr. Benjamin N-beenaba as Treasurer.
The inauguration took place under the NCCE's programme titled 'Civic Engagements on the Rule of Law and the Fight Against Corruption,' implemented through the Accountability and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIRed) initiative. Alhaji Aliu Mohammed, Northern Regional Director of NCCE, emphasized the goal of empowering students to become civic ambassadors promoting integrity and accountability in their schools and communities.
Alhaji Mohammed highlighted that corruption remains a significant barrier to national development, stressing the importance of equipping students with the knowledge and values necessary to resist and report corrupt practices. He stated, "We want to engage our students who are members of the Civic Education Club to actively participate in the fight against corruption. They are ambassadors in their various schools and communities."
He further explained that building active and vigilant citizens is crucial for sustaining Ghana's democracy. When citizens are well-informed and alert, leaders are more likely to be accountable in their service to the people. The students have undergone practical sessions focused on identifying and reporting corrupt acts, as well as understanding the institutions responsible for handling such reports.
Alhaji Mohammed noted, "In the past, people were afraid to report corruption due to lack of protection. Today, there are laws that protect whistleblowers, and this gives citizens the confidence to speak up."
Mr. Abdul Wahab Abdul Wasiu, an investigator from the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Northern Region, described corruption as a major public challenge yet emphasized it is not insurmountable. He identified low public sector wages, lack of transparency, and political interference as key drivers of corruption and called for collective commitment to address these issues.
Mr. Abdul Wasiu stressed the necessity for selecting competent and ethical leaders, enforcing existing laws, and strengthening anti-corruption institutions with adequate resources. He remarked, "We must ensure that laws are not only enacted but enforced. Institutions must be supported with the logistics and finances needed to effectively fight corruption."
Mr. Idoonyan, President of the Civic Education Club, expressed gratitude for the trust placed in the club's executives and pledged their commitment to mobilizing their peers in support of the anti-corruption campaign.