Sege-Ghana, Dec. 11, GNA – The Sege Local Accountability Network (LANet) of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, in collaboration with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), has sensitised students of Prampram Senior High School on corruption and its related activities.
The sensitization programme was to commemorate 2023 International Anti-Corruption Day under the theme “United the World Against Corruption.”
Mr. Godwin Dzivor, the GACC Sege LANet Focal Person, said the International Anti-Corruption Day was very significant as it was aimed at elevating awareness about corruption.
Mr. Dzivor said it was also used to underscore the pivotal role of individuals in combating and preventing corrupt practices and that everyone has the power to contribute towards fostering a corruption-free society.
He said the theme for the celebration, which also marked the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), indicates the interconnectedness of anti-corruption measures, peace, security, and development, while highlighting the collective responsibility to combat corruption across all sectors.
Mr. Bright Sowu, a Principal Staff Officer at the OSP, educated the students on the OSP Act and its mandates, indicating that the office has the mandate to investigate corruption and corruption-related offences.
Mr. Sowu explained that the OSP’s Act does not permit it to prosecute all corruption cases, stating that fraud and economic crime offences were handled by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and therefore, even though some of such cases were reported to the Office, they were referred to the EOCO for investigations.
He said those they investigated were deemed not guilty in accordance with law until proven otherwise, adding however that if the office was investigating someone on unexplained funds, it makes sense that the funds should be frozen to avoid it being used while the investigations were ongoing.
He said it was part of its mandate to prevent corruption, therefore engaging in activities such as school’s sensitization programmes to provide them with the needed guidelines and training on corruption and its effects on society and the people.
It was important to inculcate the spirit of anti-corruption in the students at such an age to help them grow and eschew such activities that have devastating effects on the country.
