Regional News of Wednesday, 28 October 2015

Source: GNA

Be bold to report corruption - GII

Mrs Mary Awelana Addah, Project Manager of the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), has urged the public to report corrupt persons to the appropriate agencies.

She said in order to pursue corruption cases, there must be documented evidence to ensure that the necessary sanction is issued against the person culpable.

Mrs Addah was speaking at a sensitisation workshop on the mandate of anti- corruption institutions in Ghana, as part of the Accountable Democratic Institutions and Systems Strengthening Project in the Fanteakwa District at Begoro.

She urged the people to demand accountability from duty barriers and those entrusted with power, to know how they are using the power.

They should take interest in development projects in their communities to ensure that resources benefit a larger part of the population, and does not end up in individual’s pocket.

She said lack of laws on corruption and the failure to enforce the existing laws and sanction defaulters tend to encourage corruption.

She said those at the grassroots also do encourage those at the top to engage in corruption.

Mrs Addah said corruption undermines good governance, destroys the capacity of institutions to perform well, leads to the loss of development funds and retards economic growth.

Mr Victor Ampony, Acting District Director of Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice urged the public to take advantage of the Whistle Blowers Act to report corruption.

He said the Act provides an enabling environment to check corruption and help promote transparency and accountability, as well as protect corporate governance.

Mr Jacob Tetteh Ahonu, Programmes Officer of GII said the sensitisation programme seeks to increase the use of anti-corruption reporting mechanisms and institutions by citizens.