Mr Victor Mframa, the National Anti Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) Focal Person for Kwahu South District, has called on Ghanaians to demand greater transparency and accountability from duty-bearers as part of efforts to promote economic development.
He urged the citizens to also be responsible and demand accountability from duty bearers by paying their taxes and tolls to government and the various district and municipal assemblies.
Mr Mframa was speaking at a social audit engagement at Kwahu Asakraka, where citizens were called to act against corruption.
The forum was organised by the Kwahu South District Secretariat of the National Commission for Civic Education(NCCE) and held on the theme, “Citizens for transparency and accountability”.
He said corruption, either alleged or proven, continued to be-devil the fortunes and economic progress of the country, describing it as timely the support extended to the Commission to empower citizens to eschew the canker.
Mr Mframa said corruption had a damaging effect on the economy and also tended to affect the marginalised, to the extent that women, children and the physically challenged were the most affected ones.
Mr Mframa urged citizens to vote for leaders committed to addressing their social and economic needs and challenges.
The public was encouraged to report any suspected act of corruption to offices of Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Ghana Police, Economic and Organised Crime Office and the Ghana Police Service.
Ms Tickler Asiamah- Asante, the District Director of the NCCE said the programme was to promote community participation and ownership of developmental projects and to increase awareness of the activities of the assembly.
She urged community members to hold duty bearers, especially the local government officials accountable by demanding answers on the needs of their assessment plans for their area.
Mr Emmanuel Atta Ofori, the District Chief Executive said it was critical for members of the community to follow development activities, monitor the sustainable use of resources and also get their leaders to deliver the expected services.
The DCE, therefore, entreated the citizens not to hesitate in visiting the various District and Municipal Assemblies to demand transparency and accountability when the need arises.
At the end of the programme, an action plan was drawn based on the top five priority issues raised by the community and a four-member committee was set up to do follow-ups on the action plan.