BY: GODFRED ANKU KAALI
A Regional Dialogue on the Rule of Law and the Fight Against Corruption has been held in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital, with a call on public institutions to remain open, responsive, and accountable to the people they serve.
The event, organised by the National Commission for Civic Educatio (NCCE), brought together citizens, civil society organisations, state institutions, and governance experts to deliberate on strengthening accountability and deepening civic participation at the local level.
Addressing participants, the Chairperson of the NCCE, Kathleen Addy, underscored transparency as essential for building a robust and resilient democracy.
“If we are to build a resilient democracy, we must strengthen accountability where citizens live and where public services are delivered. We must make the rule of law meaningful in everyday life,” she said.
She noted that accountability is strongest when citizens and public institutions engage one another in good faith, with honesty, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to the public good.
According to her, corruption can be effectively curtailed when institutions operate transparently and citizens actively utilise existing accountability mechanisms to demand responsible governance and integrity in public service.
The dialogue forms part of a broader project dubbed “Civic Engagements on the Rule of Law and the Fight Against Corruption,” being implemented under the Participation, Accountability and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy, PAIRED, programme. The initiative is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, BMZ, and co-financed by the European Union and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, SECO, with support from GIZ and the European Union.
The Chief Director of the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, ERCC, Ebenezer Amoah, also underscored the need for public officials to remain answerable for the use of public resources.
“Those entrusted with public office exercise authority on behalf of the people and must therefore act transparently, justify their decisions, and remain answerable for the use of public resources,” he said.
He described corruption as a serious threat to development and urged stakeholders to strengthen oversight and compliance mechanisms.
“Corruption at the local level poses a serious threat to development. It delays infrastructure projects, inflates costs, compromises service delivery, and weakens confidence in public institutions,” he added.
Participants at the dialogue affirmed their commitment to promoting transparency, enhancing institutional accountability, and fostering active citizen participation in governance as essential pillars for safeguarding the rule of law and consolidating democratic gains.
