Students Educated on “See something,Say something”to Commemorate International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) in Kintampo North and South.

The Kintampo South Local Accountability Network (LANet) led by Mr. Godwin Agyarko Gyasi (Focal Person) in collaboration with National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), and with support Ghana Anti-corruption Coalition Campaign (GACC), has joined students in some selected basic schools within Kintampo Municipality and Jema to commemorate this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD).

The beneficiary schools included Jema Methodist D/A Basic and Jema Nkwanta D/A JHS in Kintampo South, St Joseph R/C Basic and Christian Education Complex Basic schools also in Kintampo municipal.

Under theme “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption; Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity.

” The facilitators who were drawn from NCCE; Mr. Alhassan Osumanu, Acting District Director for Kintampo north and Mr. Daniel Kwadjo Asempah, Program Manager for Kintampo South sensitized the students at separate durbars on the Whistleblowers Act (2006), Act 720, which provides legal protection to individuals who report corruption or wrongdoing and touched on the Witness Protection Act, which ensures the safety and security of whistleblowers and witnesses involved in corruption cases; they encouraged students to report corruption without fear of retaliation.

At Jema in the Kintampo south, Mr. Daniel Kwadwo Asempa stressed on the need for continuous efforts in fighting corruption at all levels within the society, with a special focus on the youth at the forefront.

He further encouraged the youth to learn to Resist, Reject and Report all forms of corruptionOn his part, the Acting Director at the Kintampo Municipal office of the NCCE Mr. Osumanu Alhassan took turns to educate the participants on the basic concepts of corruption and reporting avenues, types of corruption; bribery, fraud, embezzlement, favoritism, extortion, and why corruption should be a matter of concern to the youth.

He said that corruption affects everyone, it limits access to resources or opportunities to those who can afford to pay, and it increases poverty and inequality in society and affects development since it leads to limited access to healthcare, and quality education.

He further reiterated on the need for the students and the youth to speak up when they see something wrong; “see something say something” and cautioned them to use social media responsibly and educate others to also speak up whiles holding duty bearer accountable.

He again urged the students to cultivate the culture of transparency and accountability in their youthful age.