Ghana Anti Corruption Coalition, a Non Governmental Organization (NGO), together with USAID’s Accountability Democratic Institutions and System Strengthening Project (ADISS) has called on the general public, especially social and public institutions to help fight corruption in the society.
Mr. Samuel Harrison Kojo, a Research Officer with the Ghana anti corruption coalition, during a district stakeholders meeting at Nkawie in the Atwima Nwabiagya district, expressed worry over how corruption is eating up the Ghanaian society. He lamented especially the cases of the social and public institutions and explained that unless there is a collective effort of all the citizenry, corruption will continue to reign.
He stressed the importance of increased advocacy by civil society for legislative change related to accountability, and to increase documentation and exposure of corruption through Civil Society Reporting Mechanisms.
He revealed that their survey from April to May this year in the Atwima Nwabiagya district revealed that, the citizens’ knowledge on corruption and their perception and experience within shows that, they understand what corruption is in social and public institutions.
He underscored that , from every institution people have to pay or take bribes to speed up things, because service provision is slow. “While some pay for what they are entitled to, others pay bribes to avoid problem with authorities”.
He entreated the public institutions to open up to the Anti corruption NGOs in dealing with corruption-related issues.
He said bribery is the most common offense Ghanaians know since our system has made it become normal and explains that bribery could occur in the form of nepotism, favouritism, conflict of interest and illegal contributions.
He revealed that, a report from their survey in the Atwima Nwabiagya district has revealed that, 74% of the public has experienced and has the perception that, political parties are corrupt. The Police, Business men, Media, Judiciary, NGOs, Religious bodies are also ranked 89%, 66%, 74%, 80%, and 70% respectively.
