Kumasi: Trade union members in education, health, public administration, and agriculture, along with civil society organizations, have emphasized the importance of transparency and fairness in public sector institutions that regulate business operations.

According to Ghana News Agency, union members warned that ongoing corruption among regulators in these sectors could lead to stagnation in business operations, hindering the country's economic growth.

Mr. Thompson Appam Attebila, the Ashanti and Bono Ahafo Regional Manager of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), highlighted that misappropriation and corrupt practices in public institutions negatively impact private businesses. He noted that since public institutions regulate the private sector, any lack of integrity at this level severely affects business operations. Speaking at an engagement with civil society coalitions, trade unions, and pressure groups in Kumasi, Mr. Attebila advocated for simple and transparent laws that allow individuals to understand and defend their rights.

The meeting was organized by Transparency International in collaboration with the Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP) and the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC). Nana Akwasi Prempeh, President of the Federation of Kumasi Traders, pointed out the challenges traders face, often leading them to resort to paying government officials to expedite services. He emphasized the necessity for fairness in handling issues affecting all citizens and called for mechanisms to ensure state agencies operate transparently, preventing individuals from paying for services meant to be free.

Nana Prempeh also stressed the need for decentralized education on corruption to help the public understand the implications and encourage ethical practices. Mr. Michael Kwame Boadi, Fundraising Manager at Transparency International, urged unions to vigilantly monitor government activities and public services for potential corruption, reporting any findings to the appropriate authorities.

Ghana's stagnation in global indicators like the corruption perception index, as published by Transparency International, underscores the lack of progress in combating corruption since 2020. The stakeholders' meeting aimed to create an inclusive dialogue space for sharing best practices and coordinating anti-corruption efforts across regions.