The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) has called on the Ghanaian youth “to desist from corrupt practices and also report officials who demand facilitation fees” from them to fast-track services.

GACC made the call on Monday, 9 December 2019 to mark this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day.

In a press statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the GACC, Beauty Emefa Narteh, to commemorate the day, GACC indicated that it had lined up activities to commemorate the day within ten regional capitals in the country.

The coalition noted that the occasion presents an “opportunity for Ghanaians in all walks of life to deeply reflect on the cost and impact of corruption on Ghana’s development while creating the needed public awareness on the dangers of corrupt practices.”

It continued that: “The significance of this year’s theme: ‘United Against Corruption’ challenges every citizen of Ghana to unite and say ‘no’ to corruption”, adding: “Corruption continues to be a problem that has permeated every sector of global economies. With its devastating effects, it undermines sustainable development and is an affront to human rights. But everyone can take part in the fight against corruption. Mobilising and empowering the youth is key for ensuring sustainable solutions to combating corruption.”

It further continued that this year’s Anti-Corruption Day will focus on “the youth and emphasis on their role in strengthening accountability and developing innovative solutions to prevent and curb corruption” and revealed that the coalition embarked on outreaches in schools “within ten regions to admonish students to desist from corrupt practices with the strong belief that by engaging the youth in discussions what ethical behaviour consist of, what corruption is and ways of fighting it, and encouraging young people to demand their right, it will ensure that future generations of citizens are brought up to expect a corruption-free country and together we will win the fight against corruption”.

It urged the youth to “keep a close and public eye on government activities as a proven method to keep the government on the right track”.

“We encourage everyone to put to practice the Right to Information (RTI) Act by demanding information to hold duty bearers accountable.”

The statement also called on the government “to reinforce commitments toward the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) as well as other key anti-corruption conventions such as the African Union Convention Against Corruption (AU CAC) and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC); to put in place measures to ensure enforcement of asset declaration and verification and checks on illicit enrichment”.

“On the back of the Farmers Day [celebration], we are reiterating that all policymakers and all other stakeholders within the agricultural sector should desist from acts of corruption such as diverging of premix fuel, fertilisers and other initiatives within the sector; Planting for Food and Jobs; cocoa spraying initiatives among others should jealously be guarded against acts of corruption and there should be clear steps and mechanisms to punish perpetrators.”