As Ghana joined the rest of the continent to mark African Union Anti-Corruption Day, Senior Principal Investigator Edmond Alagpulinsa has called for stronger anti-corruption measures, particularly targeting the youth.
Speaking on A1 Radio on July 11, the day set aside annually to reflect on the continent’s fight against corruption, Mr. Alagpulinsa expressed deep concern over the enduring impact of corruption on national development in Ghana.
“Corruption has always been a problem as far as our development is concerned,” he stated.
Ghana Losing Billions to Corruption
Citing a 2018 study conducted by Ghana’s leading anti-corruption institutions, Mr. Alagpulinsa revealed that corruption is responsible for nearly 30 percent of the country’s annual revenue losses.
“There’s a study that was conducted somewhere in 2018 by the anti-corruption institutions, and it was found that in Ghana, corruption alone takes about 30 percent of our annual revenue,” he explained.
He added that the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) later confirmed that Ghana loses about GH₵13.5 billion annually to corrupt practices, further highlighting the gravity of the issue.
Corruption Deeply Rooted in Society
Mr. Alagpulinsa lamented Ghana’s declining position on the global corruption index, pointing to the entrenched nature of corruption across various sectors, including the education system. He cited instances where malpractice is reported even during Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) sessions, involving both students and adults.
“Corruption is not just at the top—it is widespread, and unfortunately, it starts from the ground up,” he emphasized.
Youth Must Be the Focus of Anti-Corruption Strategy
To reverse the trend, Mr. Alagpulinsa advocated for deliberate efforts to instill integrity, honesty, and ethical values in young people. He believes that strengthening moral foundations among the youth is essential for building a transparent and prosperous society.
“It is very, very important that we build that spirit of integrity and honesty. We need a society where people have confidence, and the youth are trained properly and are able to write their exams on their own,” he said.
He called on policymakers, educators, and civil society organizations to prioritize youth development as a central pillar in the national fight against corruption.
“It is very important that we put more emphasis on the youth,” he stressed.
Source: A1Radioonline.Com | 101.1MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Bolgatanga
