The Transparency International (TI) Ghana, anti-corruption non-governmental organisation, has called on the media to remain at the forefront in the nationwide fight against corruption.
Mr Michael Kwame Boadi, the Fundraising Manager, TI Ghana, who made the call, said media organisations ought to be strengthened to position them well to expose all forms of corruption in the supreme interest of the nation.
He said the role of state institutions like the judiciary, Parliament and anti-corruption agencies remained crucial, if the nation could effectively combat corruption to promote transparency and accountability in public service.
Mr Boadi made the call when speaking at a day’s training workshop on anti-corruption and the gender dimensions of corruption, organised by the TI Ghana for the civil society and the media at Abesim, near Sunyani.
It was attended by about 45 Civil Society Organisations and actors as media professionals and aimed at building their capacity on anti-corruption advocacy and reporting, with emphasis on gender.
Mr Boadi explained that the TI Ghana, with support from the European Union (EU) through GIZ was organizing the training sessions to empower citizens to contribute meaningfully to the fight against corruption.
He said that until the media and CSOs understood the dynamics and intricacies and typology of corruption, they could not contribute effectively in the fight against the canker, saying when they were empowered, they could demand accountability, interrogate and report on corruption.
Mr Boadi said: “Empowering women through education, access to economic opportunities, and participation in politics can reduce their vulnerability to corruption and enhance their role in fighting the menace”.
In an open forum, Mr Francis Cudjoe, the Wenchi Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), said the training had deepened his understanding on corruption.
He said the NCCE educated citizens on their civic duties and assured his readiness to go back and share the knowledge acquired to help bring about positive change in society.
Mr Cudjoe noted that corruption thwarted national development, saying with the training the NCCE and the other participants could better sensitize the public about the canker and thereby stem corruption.
GNA
