The Deputy Commissioner of Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Mr Richard A. Quayson has stressed the need for more action in the fight against corruption.
“We must collectively move away from the talk and act on issues of corruption, we must report incidents of corruption from our workplaces, our communities, and within the public establishment.
“It is time to infuse fearless, honesty into the national behaviour and ignite collective sustained action with coordinated efforts, as well as the judicious application of resources of stakeholders to combat corruption”, Mr Quayson said.
Mr Quayson made the call at a Stakeholders Engagement seminar organised by the Ghana News Agency's Tema Regional Office.
The engagement aimed at providing a platform for both state and non-state organizations to address national issues and enhance development.
It is also a platform to serve as a motivational mechanism to recognize the contribution of journalists toward national development in general, growth, and promotion of the Tema GNA as the industrial news hub.
“It is only when we all open our eyes wide and other senses against corrupt practices only then, can we fight it.”
The Deputy Commissioner commenting on the issue said “is the fight against corruption a mirage or reality?”
He explained that corruption in Ghana was largely nurtured and influenced by the patrimonial character of the society where informal relations, family connections, and social reciprocity were reflected in levels of favouritism, cronyism, and nepotism.
“The patronage system also fundamentally influences the formal system and creates contradictions between how institutions are intended to operate in principle and how informal practices supplant formal structures in reality.
“As a result, public administration and political competition often appear to be driven more by personal ties than formal rules,” he added.
Mr Quayson noted that the lack of effective and sustained coordination in the implementation of anti-corruption measures and sometimes apathetic government commitment to, and limited support for, the implementation of anti-corruption strategies as part of the problems in the fight against corruption.
The CHRAJ Deputy Commissioner also said amidst growing perceptions of corruption, the public had become increasingly cynical about the official commitment to effectively tackle the menace.
“Confidence in the integrity of public office is fast eroding due to inadequate appreciation of the complex mix of factors implicated in corruption; lack of public participation in the development and implementation of the anti-corruption measures; and failure to foster local ownership in the formulation and implementation of the various strategies,” he said.
Mr Quayson said the doors of CHRAJ from the national to the regional and district levels were open for anybody who smells corrupt practices at a workplace or any public institution to walk in and report, adding, “we will protect your identity, and conduct our own investigations.”
Mr Francis Ameyibor, GNA Tema Regional Manager urged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), religious bodies, professional groups, traditional authorities, gender-based groups and other interest groups must upscale their vigilantism, stand up, and fight for Mother Ghana.
Latest Stories
-
Daniel Otting Awuah elected SRC President of Ghana School of Law
28 mins -
Lawrence Ati-Zigi signs St. Gallen contract extension
32 mins -
We should be careful not to destroy our institutions without just cause – Serebour Quaicoe
41 mins -
Cecilia Dapaah’s case: EOCO hasn’t requested for FBI report – Office of the Special Prosecutor
3 hours -
Andre Ayew scores 5th league goal as Le Havre beat Strasbourg
3 hours -
Ejisu by-election: NPP didn’t sanction money distribution to voters – Richard Ahiagbah
3 hours -
Ghana Health Service opens vacancies for 204 doctors, 25 dentists
3 hours -
Domestic tourism on the rebound with 1.4m visits to attraction sites in 2023 – GTA
4 hours -
Government working hard to complete Tema General Hospital project – Dr Okoe Boye
4 hours -
Ipswich Town seal Premier League promotion after 22 years absence
4 hours -
Accord journalists the respect due them – Opare Gyan
4 hours -
EPL: Arsenal beat Bournemouth to go four points clear of Man City
4 hours -
Cecilia Dapaah’s case: What’s happening now is a clear indication of cover-up – Amaliba
4 hours -
I felt rejected by Ghanaians – AY Poyoo
5 hours -
Terrorist cell of five Daesh supporters dismantled in Essaouira
5 hours