He said the practice has contributed to the underdevelopment and higher unemployment rate in the country.

Mr Obeng called on the public to help stop the canker of corruption by not paying their way through for a service or duty to be performed.

He said when the youth start stopping corruption from within and make conscious efforts to reject any form of inducement then they would be contributing to building a better society and legacy for the future generation.

Mr Obeng said this during this year’s Africa Youth Day celebration at Fijai in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly.

The event was held under the theme:"Raising youth voice against corruption in Africa".

The annual event is to promote the increase recognition of the youth as key agents for social change, economic growth and sustainable development.

The celebration had about 300 leaders from various youth groups in the region participating.

Mr Anthony Baah the Regional Director for National Youth Authority, said corruption is one of the reasons why the development of the country is lagging.

He said according to the survey by Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), Ghana loses about 15 billion Cedis yearly.

Mr Baah said while we are projecting to have close to a million youth population only for the Western Region it also means that they should be empowered to fight corruption to help declare a corruption free society which could translate into massive infrastructural development to benefit all.