The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) Executive Secretary, Mary Addah, has underlined the critical role that non-state players play in battling corruption in Ghana.
She pointed out that civil society organizations are leading the charge in the never-ending fight against corruption, and their go-to tactics include advocacy, awareness campaigns, and strategic lawsuits.
She emphasized the mutually beneficial partnership between civil society and government organizations, recognizing that although the government spearheads anti-corruption initiatives, non-state players play a critical role in securing long-term advancements.
She emphasized the necessity of coordination and cooperation, stressing that the pursuit of shared objectives does not erode the freedom of civil society.
Throughout Africa, civil society has developed from disorganized groups to structured structures with a variety of roles, such as campaigning, promoting good governance, and providing services.
Mary Addah highlighted the importance of evidence-based research informing advocacy efforts, pointing to programs like the Global Corruption Barometer (GCB) and the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) as essential instruments in influencing policy debate.
Madam Addah emphasized civil society’s proactive approach in contesting governmental actions deemed harmful to the public interest, citing recent instances from Ghana as evidence.
Through legal disputes and grassroots activism, civil society has shown resilient and resolute in its pursuit of holding those in positions of authority accountable.
Civil society’s influence on policy-making processes is reflected in legislative reforms like the creation of the Office of the Special Prosecutor and improvements in beneficial ownership transparency.
In order to prevent election corruption, Madam Addah recognized the continued difficulties, which include the requirement for stricter enforcement protocols and extensive campaign funding laws.
In the area of public awareness and sensitization, civil society has made use of cutting-edge tools to empower citizens in the battle against corruption, like social auditing clubs and smartphone apps.
In order to ensure that underprivileged populations are not overlooked in the pursuit of accountability and transparency, Mary Addah underlined the need for inclusivity.
As she looked to the future, Madam Addah stressed the need for civil society to establish a corrupt-free country.
To maximize impact in the battle against corruption, she urged for ongoing engagement between civil society and governmental authorities, utilizing technology and innovation.
The path ahead may be difficult, but the Commonwealth’s civil society organizations’ unflinching desire to fight corruption persists despite the challenges they face in upholding transparency and integrity.
