The Kintampo South Local Accountability Network (LANeT), in collaboration with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), with support from the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, has joined students of the Jema Senior High School to commemorate this year’s Africa Union Anti-Corruption Day in Jema.

Under the theme "Effective Whistleblowers Protection Mechanism: A Critical Tool in the Fight Against Corruption," Mr. Godwin Agyarko Gyasi, focal person for the network, told the students that the day, which is celebrated on July 11 each year, was instituted by the African Union in 2003 by the adoption of the "Convention on Prevention and Combating Corruption."

He said the objective of the day is to call for a sober reflection on the collective commitment of every citizen in the fight against corruption, adding that 48 countries, including Ghana, have ratified the convention and gone further to put in place measures to tackle corruption.

Mr. Gyasi urged the students to be active whistleblowers by reporting perceived acts of corruption to security agencies, traditional authorities, assembly members, and other respected personalities within their communities.

On his part, the Programme Officer at the Kintampo South district office of the NCCE, Mr. Daniel Kwadjo Asempa, linked the theme of the commemoration to the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, touching specifically on the alleged registration of minors in the just-ended limited registration exercise.

Touching on the Criminal Offences Act (Act 29) of 1960, he asked the students to be guided by its provisions, adding that the law does not discriminate.

Highlighting the duties of a citizen as provided in Article 41 of the 1992 Constitution, Mr. Asempa advised the students to be obedient to school authorities and elders in their communities.

He reiterated the need for the students to take a keen interest in whistleblowing to safeguard the peace of the country and aid its development.