Mr Quayson said education of the public on corruption and the need for actions to build proper mind-set of people against the canker, was needed in addressing the phenomenon.

He urged CSOs to implement some programmes, specified in the National Anti–Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) to enable the people denounce corruption and help build the fortunes of the country.

Mr Quayson made the call when he addressed participants at a NACAP regional level campaign dubbed: “Ghana United Against Corruption”, in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. It was attended by representatives of Municipal and District Assemblies, the media, religious organisations, traditional authorities, Ghana Education Service, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) among others.

The Deputy Director said corruption was man-made and indicated that efforts should be made on sustained bases in the fight until results were realised, adding that corruption should not stop Ghanaians from achieving their dream of becoming the star of Africa.

Mr Quayson who made a presentation on strategies for the implementation of NACAP, revealed that Ghana losses 20 per cent of her budget annually and said “imagine what 20 percent of the nation’s budget could do in the lives of the struggling masses, the unemployed and the elderly who are struggling to survive on pensions after many years of service to the nation”.

He indicated that the estimated $3billion or GHC 14 billion stolen money in Ghana when put into good use, could improve on the poverty levels and enhance the economic situation of the citizenry in the country.

“Let us stop the waste and invest Ghana’s money into good use” he stressed.

He said stolen money was the single largest commodity smuggled or exported from the African continent and added that it was the reason for which about 65 per cent of the population in Africa lived in abject poverty, noting that water and sanitation, road infrastructure, schools and healthcare were critical areas the wasted money could go to address if properly protected.

He emphasized that NACAP among other things was to help reduce corruption and abuse of power for private gain and added that the action plan for the next 10 years would help create sustainable economy founded on good governance, and imbued with integrity.

The strategic objective of NACAP is to build capacity to condemn and fight corruption and make its practice a high risk low-gain activity. NACAP is to help institutionalize efficiency, accountability and transparency in the public, private and non-profit sectors, as well as engage and build the capacities of individuals, media and civil society organizations to report corrupt practices and to conduct effective investigations, and prosecute corrupt people where necessary.