Some members of the Police Wives Association (POLWA) in Ghana say they disagree with an Afro barometer survey on corruption perception that ranked the Police Service as the most corrupt institution.
They maintained that corruption takes place at many institutions and offices, but usually shrouded in secrecy, a situation which derails efforts in the fight against corruption.
An Afro Barometer Survey, by the Centre for Democratic Development, CDD-Ghana, last year ranked the Police Service as the Most Perceived Corrupt Institution in Ghana.
The women made the point while participating in an anti-corruption artistic activism campaign, dubbed “Police Wives Say No to Corruption’’ in Accra.
The programme was to solicit views on eradicating corruption and getting an all hands on deck approach in the fight against corruption. The participants at the end agreed that fighting corruption required a holistic approach as the canker is prevalent in all sectors of the economy.
The women concluded that the police have for a long time suffered what they termed “negative stereotyping” of being the most corrupt institution, a situation that requires sustainable efforts at redeeming the image of the Police in Ghana.
Journalist and Project Facilitator, Rebecca Ekpe, said corruption is a global canker that requires an all hands on deck approach to eradicate.
She said: “without tackling corruption, resources channeled into developmental projects would yield less dividends.”
Madam Ekpe challenged the participants to become agents of change. She observed that there is a shift in paradigm, where Journalism has moved from the usual “writing and publishing of stories to advocacy where journalists pursue specific projects to cause change and better the lives of the people’’.
She therefore encouraged other journalists to also identify the needs of the society and work towards transforming their communities.
The National Magajia of POLWA (in-Charge of Police Wives in Ghana) and Queen mother of Ave Dakpa, Mamaga Sotsimede Adziwe II, also known in private life as Mrs. Rose Sekle underscored the need to intensify the campaign on corruption designed to reach large audiences.
She promised to replicate the anti-corruption campaign among police recruits, adding that “a corrupt-free Ghana” will ensure improvement in infrastructure and other social services to the people.
STORY BY: RACHEL KAKRABA.
