Emmanuel Mettle, the Ayawaso East Civic Education Officer of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), in the Greater Accra Region, has urged religious leaders to devote a fraction of their preaching period to educate members against corrupt practices.

He noted that was the only way the country could win the fight against corruption that had permeated all spheres of society.

Mr Mettle made the call at an outreach programme for members of the St Kizito Catholic Church at Nima in Accra.

The forum organised by the Ayawaso East Municipal Directorate of the NCCE sought to build capacity of the congregation to identify and condemn corruption in all spheres of public life.

It formed part of the NCCE”s Anti-Corruption, Rule of Law and Accountability Programme (ARAP) and sponsored by the European Union.

Mr Mettle observed that Christians formed about 70 per cent of the country’s population and “if they resolve to abstain from corrupt practices the phenomenon can be reduced to its barest minimum.

“Corruption retards growth and development, perverse justice and hurt the marginalised in society as the act is very secretive and difficult to detect” adding that “it was for those reasons that the commission is appealing to leaders of  faith-based organisations to help preach to members on the dangers of the menace.

“Congregation should have confidence in state institutions such as the Police Service, the Attorney-General, the Office of the Special Prosecutor, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice and the Economic and Organised Crime Unit and endeavour to divulge any act of corruption to them.

“Your identity as a whistle blower will be kept secret under the Whistle Blowers Act (720) 2006,” Mr Mettle assured.