Ashaiman-Ghana, June 2, GNA – Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), the local chapter of Transparency International (TI), has organised a community education forum in Ashaiman to sensitise and inform residents of channels to report corrupt activities.
Mr. Okai Michael Henchard, Project Coordinator of GII, who was speaking at Tulaku, a suburb of Ashaiman, revealed that an office named the Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre (ALAC) was set up by the anti-corruption agency, GII.
Mr. Henchard said ALAC was a free, confidential, and professional service that offered victims and witnesses of corruption an avenue to report and pursue incidents of corruption for redress.
He said the vision behind the new office was to empower citizens to make and pursue corruption-related complaints and provide legal advice and assistance to victims and witnesses of corruption.
Create a database on corruption in the country based on complaints received from the public and use the data to advocate greater institutional change.
He expressed delight at the participation of the residents and assured them that some of the outcomes from the group discussions and dialogue with the community would be conceded for redress.
The GII Project Coordinator said the effort to bring communities together to create awareness about anti-corruption was important, but it needed direct engagement for everyone to feel part of the fight.
Mr. Selaasie Hiadzi, a resident of Ashaiman, said the programme motivated them to become active instead of passive citizens. “The event has enlightened us about our responsibilities as citizens.
“Normally, people might be making certain observations, but when nobody is motivating them to be extra vigilant and aware of things, they will become casual.”
adding that “their knowledge on corruption and its prevention has been extended, so they will become more vocal about it”.
Madam Faustina Quarm, the Ashaiman Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), speaking to the Ghana News Agency at the event, said the community education platform needed to be extended to the entire country.
She admonished the public to act as accountable people, be transparent, and live worthy lifestyles, emphasising that the portrayal of good citizenship characters will promote the image of the nation.
The educational forum, which was graced by community leaders, traditional authorities, religious leaders, and some residents, was part of a project by the GII with funding support from the International Centre for Migration Policy Development aimed at preventing and countering violent extremism and terrorism in Ghana.
