Accra, Ghana, December 11, 2018//-Anti-corruption campaigners in Ghana have warned that the fight against corruption would be a mirage if the citizens fail to mobilise themselves against endemic corruption in the country.
They made the call after marching against corruption through the principal streets of African on Saturday as part of activities to mark this year’s International Anti-corruption Day which falls on 9th December every year.
The march dubbed ‘Silent March’ was organised by Corruption Watch in collaboration with the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and other civil social oorganisers.
The Executive Director of CDD-Ghana, Prof Henry Kwasi Prempeh who led the group to march from the Kwame Nkrumah Circle through Nima to the El-walk Stadium, the final destination, maintained that they are taking a stand against corruption because it matters to them.
“This is because its affects the poor, the vulnerable, the needy, among others very badly. Those who don’t have wealth, resources, and power pay the price of corruption”, he explained.
“Everywhere you find power, corruption can be found there”, Prof Prempeh stated to a thunderous applause from the crowd.
He was quick to add that the resources that had been taken away from corruption were resources that would have been used to provide social amenities and other valuable development projects for the poor.
Corruption has taken a lot from Ghana, hence the country’s reliance on aid and other hand-outs from the donor community. Because of corruption, we are moving from aid dependent country to debt dependent country, Prof Prempeh said.
Another corrupt practice, the CDD-Ghana boss raised objection to is protocol admissions to public Senior High Schools and tertiary institutions as well as protocol recruitment into the police service and the army.
Prof Prempeh therefore used the occasion to the government and its agencies, the police, army and others to stop the practice in the country.
He reminded the government the appointment of the Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu does not meant that its anti-corruption fight has been won, stressing that the government has the authority to do more to fight corruption in Ghana.
On his part, a renowned private legal practitioner, Mr Akoto Ampaw noted: “Until or unless, we look at the funding of political parties in Ghana, we can’t fight corruption in the country”.
He continued: “Those who fund political parties get kickbacks and contracts”.
The Spokesperson of the National Chief Imam, Sheihk Aremeyaw Shaibu, said: “For us to transform the society, we need to transform our inner worlds. This will enable us to transform the larger society”.
The Convener of the Alliance for Women in Media Africa (AWMA), Mrs Shamima Alhassan added: “Transformation happens when a critical mass of a society takes a stand.
So, if you are a citizen don’t sit down allow corruption to persist. It is time to stop paying lip service to corruption in the country”, she stated.
Director for Advocacy and Policy Engagement at Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Dr Kojo Asante, indicated that the center would organise similar anti-corruption marches across the 10 regions of the country next year.
African Eye Report
