They need to be actively engaged to promote efficient utilization of funds that come to them. Mr. Louis Acheampong, Project Coordinator of Ghana Strengthening Accountability Mechanism Project (GSAM), said that was the way forward to prevent corruption.

He was speaking at a public forum held at Abuakwa in the Atwima-Nwabiagya District to encourage citizens’ participation in contract monitoring. The programme was organized by the GSAM with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) deliberated on the public procurement law.

It also provided the platform to discuss ways of helping the people to have better understanding of their civic responsibilities and empower them to join the fight to purge the society of corruption.

On hard to participate, were assembly members, chiefs, Heads of department, civil society organizations and the law enforcement agencies. Mr. Acheampong said corruption was the bane of the country’s development and urged everybody to be bold to report any cases of corruption.He added that there should be strict enforcement of the law by punishing those who stole public funds.

 Mr. Robert Abana, Assistance Project Coordinator for CARE International, called for sustained public education to create awareness about the negative effects of corruption on the nation’s progress.