Kpalbe: The North East Gonja District Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Savannah Region has engaged young people in the area to strengthen their understanding of the rule of law and the fight against corruption. The engagement, held at Kpalbe, was attended by young apprentices, informal sector workers, artisans, manual labourers, among others.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event was part of the Civic Engagements on the Rule of Law and the Fight Against Corruption project, implemented by NCCE in partnership with GIZ and co-funded by the European Union. The initiative focused on empowering out-of-school youth with practical knowledge on civic rights, legal frameworks, and their role in promoting accountability.
Madam Martha Bagbin, North East Gonja District Director of NCCE, addressed the attendees, emphasizing the importance of equipping young people with knowledge of their rights and protections available under the Whistleblowers Act. She encouraged them to report wrongdoing without fear of victimisation. Her presentation on 'The Rule of Law and the Fight Against Corruption' described corruption as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, highlighting common forms such as bribery, embezzlement, extortion, nepotism, favoritism, and illegal cash contributions.
She identified weak law enforcement, poor record-keeping, limited accountability, and low integrity levels in public institutions as key drivers of corruption in the country. On conflict of interest, she explained that it arises when public officials derive private benefits from decisions made in their official capacity, which can erode public trust and compromise decision-making.
Madam Bagbin outlined channels for reporting wrongdoing and emphasized the relevance of Ghana's key anti-corruption laws, including the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), the Whistleblower Act, and the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), which provide avenues for citizens to expose misconduct and ensure accountability.
Mr Mumuni Zakaria, Secretary of the Gonjaland Youth Association in the North East Gonja District, highlighted the critical role of young people in promoting transparency. He urged them to demand fairness in governance and participate in platforms such as youth parliaments and civil society organisations. He encouraged them to act as watchdogs by monitoring community projects, promoting integrity, and advocating for ethical values among peers.
Inspector Haruna Mohammed, Station Officer at Kpalbe Police Station, presented on 'Human Rights and Civic Space - Freedoms of Expression, Assembly, Association, and Access to Information'. He urged the youth to adhere to the country's laws to ensure peaceful coexistence and maintain law and order.
Participants pledged their support towards building a culture of integrity and transparency in the district.