Anti-corruption fight needs collective action, not silos – Mary Addah

Transparency International Ghana has urged citizens to play an active role in holding the government accountable in the fight against corruption.

Speaking at a high-level stakeholder workshop in Tamale on government’s anti-corruption commitments, the Executive Director of Transparency International Ghana, Mary Awelana Addah, said the campaign against corruption has for too long been led mainly by civil society organisations (CSOs) and advocacy groups, while ordinary citizens have been left out.

She stressed that meaningful progress can only be achieved when all Ghanaians get involved.

“What we are doing is the genesis of the fact that we need collective action if the fight against corruption is to succeed. This is a partnership between ACEP, the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, and Transparency International Ghana,” Madam Addah noted.

“In many instances, the results of our anti-corruption fight have not been citizen-driven. It has always remained within a certain silos. We believe it is time for everyone to reflect on the various efforts and support the fight to secure the gains we need.”

She further called on citizens to keep a close watch on the government’s campaign promises and demand accountability whenever leadership falls short.

“We cannot track progress in Accra alone; we need everyone. We also have a pledge—the eighth pledge of corruption—and we want society to agree and accept that there is a need to fight corruption,” she added.

The workshop brought together stakeholders to deliberate on practical ways of strengthening citizen participation in the fight against corruption and ensuring the government delivers on its commitments.