A book titled “This Thing Called Corruption,” has been aunched with a call to change attitudes, strengthen systems, and foster a culture of accountability.
The 220-page document examines the multifaceted issues of corruption in Ghana from its historical roots to its modern-day impacts on Ghanaian society, economy and politics and role government, citizens, businesses, and policymakers must play to dismantle the canker.
Written by Mr Jerry-John Nampari Yenabi, a Chartered Accountant and Elder of the Church of Pentecost, the book discusses the structural and cultural elements that allow corruption to thrive and the need to transform attitudes, strengthening systems, and fostering a culture of accountability.
The greatest strength of “This Thing Called Corruption” lies in its thought-provoking exploration of corruption in the various sections of society, be it rural, urban, formal, informal, public, or private sector.
An excerpt of the book says: “I question the imbalance nature of our character. Our churches have failed on Sundays, mosques on Fridays, the shrines thrive to survive to serve the traditional community, and the three-way religion is held above our heads, yet we remained evil, greedy and wicked.”
Another excerpt reads: “Corruption is worse than prostitution; the latter might endanger the morals of an individual, the former invariably endangers the morals of the entire country.”
Mr Nampari Yenabi said his idea for authoring the book emerged from years of witnessing the corrosive effects of corruption on society, adding that the impacts of corruption go far beyond statistics and financial losses.
He said it was a calling to tell the stories, shed light on hidden truths, give voice to those affected by corruption, spark a meaningful conversation and to create a space where the society could be encouraged to confront the issues, not with frustration or resignation, but with a commitment to make a difference.
Narrating his experiences of how a client tried bribing him during his national service and how he was denied a job because the interview panel had taken some monies from other interviewees, Mr Nampari Yenabi said the book reveals the roles individual play as part of the problem.
“Fighting corruption cannot be the responsibility of just a few. It calls on each of us to be informed, to report wrongdoing when we see it, and to hold our leaders and ourselves to a higher standard. It is not just about rooting out wrongdoing,” he said.
Mrs Mercy Larbi, Deputy CHRAJ Commissioner, who was the Guest Speaker, said, Corruption hinders the enjoyment of fundamental human rights, good governance, and service delivery.
She said the book is a call for action to have attitudinal change, do away with cultural norms and societal acceptance of corrupt practices, cultivate a culture of transparency, integrity, reliability, and trust and think not only about private gains but also consider the effects of citizens’ actions and inactions on the public.
Mr Fred Tua-Yeboah, Deputy Attorney General, who graced the event said Ghanaians are corrupt and exhibit levels of hypocrisy by pointing fingers at only the political class.
He said the canker sucks the State limited resources and causes existential threat to humanity, adding that human interface must be avoided in the delivery of goods and services and citizens must allow systems to work.
GNA
KOA
30 Nov. 2024
Caption: pictures attached
