The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) is calling on Junior High School students in the Upper East Region to become proactive defenders of integrity by boldly reporting corruption wherever they encounter it.
This call was made during activities to mark the African Union Anti-Corruption Day 2025, celebrated under the theme “Promoting Human Dignity in the Fight Against Corruption.” As part of the commemoration, students from selected Junior High Schools in Talensi District and Bolgatanga Municipality were sensitized on various forms of corruption—ranging from vote-buying, electoral fraud, and ballot manipulation, to the misuse of public funds.
The students received guidance on how to safely and responsibly report corruption cases to key oversight institutions such as the Office of the Special Prosecutor, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Auditor-General’s Department, the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), and the Ghana Police Service.
They were also introduced to the Whistleblower’s Act and the legal protections it offers to individuals who expose corruption in Ghana.
Speaking during the event, Mr. Anafo Emmanuel, the Upper East Regional Focal Person for GACC, encouraged the students to embrace the “3Rs” mantra: Resist, Reject, and Report corruption in all its forms.
“In previous years, we’ve held these engagements in second-cycle institutions. This year, we’ve taken it a step further by bringing it to the basic level. Our goal is to empower young people—often described as future leaders—with the knowledge and courage to expose corruption,” Mr. Anafo explained.
He emphasized the importance of cultivating a culture of accountability and transparency among the youth, saying,
“We believe that young people are the most vibrant group in society. Soon, they’ll occupy leadership positions that will shape Ghana’s future. While some may think these are just young students without the power to speak up, we must start nurturing their courage now. If Ghana is to win the fight against corruption, we need to build that resolve in them while they are still growing.”
Mr. Anafo further appealed to the general public to play an active role in combating corruption in Ghana, stressing the need for civic responsibility and vigilance.
“Corrupt practices often involve more than one person, and they rarely go unnoticed. The real issue is the lack of civic will to report what we see. We need a society that is not only aware of corruption but actively seeks to expose and eliminate it. That’s why we’re calling on all Ghanaians to become active participants in this fight.”
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Samuel Adagom|Bolgatanga
