The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) has urged young people to resist, reject, and report all forms of corruption to appropriate law enforcement agencies. This call aims to promote integrity and accountability across the nation. Beauty Emefa Narteh, the Executive Secretary of the GACC, stated that all corrupt acts, whether perceived or real, require prompt reporting for investigation and resolution.
Mrs. Narteh made this appeal during the 2026 African Anti-Corruption Day commemoration. The event engaged students from Okadjakro Senior High Technical School and St. Peter Claver R.C. Junior High School in the Jasikan Municipality of the Oti Region. Her speech, read by Mr. Roger Yafetto Agbele of the Kadjebi Local Accountability Network (LANet), underscored the importance of youth involvement in anti-corruption efforts.
This initiative aligns with Ghana's ongoing struggle against corruption, which consistently impacts economic development and public trust. The nation has implemented various measures, including the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan, to address these challenges. Engaging the youth is a strategic move to cultivate a new generation committed to ethical governance, a critical factor for long-term economic stability and growth. Corruption diverts public funds, distorts markets, and discourages foreign investment, directly affecting Ghana's economic prospects.
Mrs. Narteh highlighted the “Capture Youth Voices Open Forum” as a key feature of this year’s commemoration. This forum seeks to amplify young people's perspectives, experiences, and ideas on corruption and integrity. She explained that the voices and actions of young people are crucial because they are future leaders and decision-makers whose values will shape the country’s governance. This engagement aims to understand how corruption affects their daily lives, education, and future opportunities.
The forum also encourages participants to propose practical solutions and commit to promoting accountability, transparency, and integrity within their schools, homes, and communities. Empowering young people to speak up against corruption will strengthen national efforts to build an ethical society. Such a society prioritizes honesty, fairness, and accountability, essential for sustainable development.
Mrs. Narteh specifically urged students to become ambassadors of integrity. She advised them to refuse participation in examination malpractice, bribery, cheating, and other dishonest practices that undermine national development. The fight against corruption is a shared responsibility, requiring all citizens, particularly the youth, to work together. This collective effort aims to build a Ghana and an Africa where integrity thrives and corruption has no place.
Madam Comfort Tsaku, the Kadjebi Focal Person and Chairperson of LANet, also advised students to adopt honesty, transparency, and integrity as guiding principles. She noted that Ghana’s development continues to suffer due to pervasive corruption. Madam Tsaku urged the youth to change this narrative by upholding high moral values and refusing to engage in corrupt practices. Madam Sophia Anin, Headmistress of Okadjakro Senior High Technical School, commended the GACC for the timely and beneficial educational engagement.
African Anti-Corruption Day is observed annually on July 11, commemorating the adoption of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption. The 2026 theme, “Scaling Up the Promotion of Integrity and Anti-Corruption Actions Across Africa,” underscores the continent-wide commitment. This day raises awareness about corruption's negative impact and promotes transparency, accountability, good governance, and integrity across Africa.