The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has launched an initiative to empower citizens at all levels of society to resist corruption, report corrupt practices, and better understand the negative impact of corruption on the nation’s development.

The initiative also seeks to enhance legal frameworks, reinforce law enforcement institutions, improve access to justice, and empower civil society.

The two-year project, which is being implemented in 60 districts across all 16 regions of the country, will include national dialogues, engagements with women’s groups and the youth, symposia with tertiary students, social auditing, community outreach, media engagements, and general civic education activities.

It forms part of the project dubbed “Strengthening the rule of law and fight against corruption in Ghana", being supported by the GIZ, European Union and other partners. 

National dialogue

Speaking at the maiden national dialogue of the project in Accra yesterday, the Deputy Chairperson in charge of General Services at the NCCE, Victor K. Brobbey, said the NCCE’s initiative was timely and critical to address corruption.

He explained that the initiative would focus on advocacy for the Whistleblower Act, social media campaigns against corruption, community-based social auditing, and public education on issues of conflict of interest.

He stressed the urgency to rebuild national integrity and justice through education, enforcement, and personal example.

“The NCCE will not rest until the values of integrity, accountability and respect for human dignity are restored in the Ghanaian society,” he stated.

Fight corruption

The Component Manager of the project at GIZ, Kweku Lartey Obeng, stressed the need for strategies to improve society and foster participation in civic space.

He said the country ranked 80th out of 180 countries in the 2024 Transparency Corruption Perception Index with a score of 42 out of 100, which indicated a decline in public trust. 

He underscored the importance of empowering citizens who were the cornerstone of a transparent and accountable society to create a culture of integrity and transparency.