By: Angela Adu-Asomaning and Alberta Asanewa Dwirah.
The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has raised concerns over what it calls a moral crisis undermining Ghana’s democracy and development. Speaking at a national dialogue in Accra, Deputy Chairman of General Services at the NCCE, Victor Brobbey, said values such as honesty and service are being replaced by a culture that glorifies wealth, regardless of its source.
He said practices once frowned upon are now creeping into mainstream youth culture. He urged citizens to take collective responsibility in restoring Ghana’s values, warning that the greatest danger facing the country is not poverty but the corruption.
The dialogue themed “Empowering Citizens, Promoting Accountability” seeks to address the ongoing issue of corruption in Ghana. The event aimed to foster collaboration among citizens, state institutions, and civil society to strengthen the rule of law and promote accountability. Speaking at the Dialogue, Deputy Chairman of General Services at the NCCE, Victor Brobbey said Ghana’s greatest threat is not poverty, but moral decline.
“Young people today face immense pressure to acquire wealth at any cost. Behaviours once considered fringe such as scamming, internet fraud, ‘sakawa,’ and ritual money practices have now crept into mainstream youth culture. In many communities, internet fraud is no longer viewed with disapproval” he emphasized.
Executive Director at the Ghana Integrity Initiative, Mary Awalah Addah said empowering citizens and promoting accountability are key to effectively combating corruption.
“It is crucial for citizens to understand and appreciate their roles in this fight, and positioning them strategically across various workplaces to ensure effective delivery could not have come at a better time” he added.
Chairman of the Advisory Board Against Corruption, Kwami Edem Senanu advocated the need to return to Ghana’s foundational values as a compass for national behavior and integrity.
“We need to address our belief systems. We must establish a strong core set of values. It is surprising that Ghana does not have a clearly defined framework that states what the nation truly stands for” he stressed.
The stakeholders called for a united front in the fight against corruption. They urged all citizens to safeguard public property and actively expose and prevent the misuse and wastage of public resources.
