Most Ghanaians are losing trust in the systems and institutions that are supposed to deal with corruption to the extent that even when they witness corrupt practices they don’t feel confident to report same, Ms Clara Osei-Boateng, Director of Policy Advocacy Programmes at SEND-GHANA has said.

“Because of corruption, people who do not have the requisite qualification are appointed to positions.”

Giving her remarks at a community sensitization on anti-corruption laws in Ghana organized by SEND-GHANA in Zebilla, she suggested that, government must resource anti-corruption agencies to be able to prosecute corrupt cases. “We need to do a lot more to mitigate corruption,” she added.

On her part, Ms. Rachel Gyabaah, a Programme Officer at SEND-GHANA observed that, corruption is becoming common and an integral part of life in Ghana.

She was of the view of that, if this trend is not checked, dealing with corruption will become very difficult. “It is not only the politician, the civil or public servant who is guilty. The community teacher who skips classes to engage in other form of work during instructional period is equally guilty.”

Speaking to Traditional and Religious Leaders, Market Queens, Assembly Members and representatives of Persons with Disability and Youth Groups among others at the sensitization, she took the opportunity to invite all participants to take advantage of the online reporting portal ipaidabribe.org.gh to register any recent or old bribes they have paid and tell if they resisted a demand for a bribe, or did not have to pay a bribe.

Kassena- Nankana Municipality was next to benefit from SEND-GHANA’s anti-corruption sensitization.

In her presentation, Ms. Gyabaah noted that, the cost of corruption is enormous covering the loss of development funds, retardation of economic growth, flight of capital and the inflation of administrative costs and therefore urged all participants to help fight against this canker.

Mr. Sumaila Abudu, the Municipal Coordinating Director of Kassena- Nankana Municipal Assembly advised concerned citizens to seek clarification on corruption issues at the Assembly before making wild allegations on radio.

Mr. Issahaku Abdul-Gafaru, Kasena-Nankana Municipal Director of The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and Mr. Paul Kwame Ganvu, Kasena-Nankana Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) took turns to educate participants on where to go if they suspect or have reasons to believe that an official has engaged in a corrupt practice.

The sensitization forms part of a four-year US Agency for International Development (USAID) funded project referred to as Accountable Democratic Institutions and Systems Strengthening (ADISS).

Source-SEND-GHANA