‘Distinguish right from wrong in fighting corruption’

By Mildred Siabi-Mensah GNA

Sekondi, May 31, GNA – Stakeholders from sectors of the economy have expressed worry about the gradual acceptance of some wrongful behaviours and attitudes that were gradually taken roots in the Ghanaian society.

They said society’s inability to distinguish wrong from right or upholding wrongs as against the right in the individual’s quest to acquire fame, riches among other social titles must be carefully dealt with.

The stakeholders have therefore called for government to resource the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to enable them to work earnestly in their anti-corruption mandate.

This was at a stakeholders meeting organised by the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition on a Survey Report on Citizens’ Knowledge, Perceptions and Experiences of Corruption in the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolis.

The survey report, generated in 2016 revealed that corruption had increased in the Metropolis as perceived by the respondents.

While some respondents said they either paid bribe to fast track the process, to avoid problems with city authorities and to receive a service, others did not remember paying bribe at all in the last twelve months.

Institutions such as; political parties, police service, public and civil service and the DVLA were notorious in the ranking by the citizenry as the most corrupt institutions.

The Report also indicated that majority of the people were willing to report corruption, involve and support others in the fight against corruption.

Mr Samuel Harrison-Cudjoe, Research Officer who led the discussion on the Report said society must stand up now and distinguish right from wrong, adding that the situation posed greater danger to all and sundry.

The survey according to him came under the “USAID Accountable Democratic Institutions and Systems Strengthening Project”.

He said the project further sought to renew and build upon on-going efforts and also increase the capacities of anti-corruption civil society organizations to motivate citizens to apply pressure on policy makers and institutions through a number of targeted and focused actions to reduce corruption in Ghana.

Mrs Nana Amua Sekyi, Western Regional Director of CHRAJ stressed the need for a service charter to help in effective and efficient service delivery in the country.

GNA

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