The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Emmanuel Asigri has tasked Ghanaian youth to act as change agents by assisting government to succeed in the area of fighting corruption.
Emmanuel Asigri said this in a speech read on his behalf in Tamale on the occasion of this year’s African Youth Day celebration under the theme: “Raising Youth Voices Against Corruption in Africa.”
“Become active advocates against corruption and expose abuses and infractions in public financial management within your localities.”
The event organized by the Northern Regional Secretariat of the National Youth Authority (NYA) brought together 300 participants including persons with disabilities, students of tertiary and second cycle schools.
The Sagnarigu Municipal Chief Executive, Mariam Iddrisu described the youth as major stakeholders in the fight against corruption.
“I urge them to understand it and be part of the solution by defining a role for themselves and actualizing that role.”
She admitted that corruption is a key factor inhibiting the development of most countries in Sub-Sahara Africa.
“According to a recent survey by ISSER, Ghana loses about fifteen billion Ghana cedis to corruption every year. This money could have been invested in national development to benefit the youth”, she lamented.
Head of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the NYA Reverend Frank Lartey lauded government’s approach towards fighting corruption citing the establishment of the Office of Special Prosecutor to buttress his point.
He backed calls for the adequate resourcing of anti- corruption institutions of state to diligently discharge their duties.
“I join calls by other progressive individuals and institutions on government to adequately resource the anti-corruption institutions in the country to effectively deal with individuals found culpable of corrupt practices and to make corruption unattractive.”
Reverend Frank Lartey advised the youth to stop using Information Communication Technology (ICT) and social media tools to promote social vices including illicit drugs intake.
“I urge the youth to rather adopt positive and noble ideals such as patriotism, hard work, communalism, volunteerism, civility and respect for the elderly that will prepare and position them to take up the mantle of productive service in future.”
Northern Regional Director of the NYA, Ziblim Shaibu said the annual event creates the opportunity for participants to network and form synergies.
According to him, the event also serves as a learning platform and thus urged the participants to impact the knowledge gained on the society.
The fight against corruption remains successive governments biggest challenge.
This necessitated the establishment of the Special Prosecutor’s Office to nip corruption in the bud.
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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah |citinewsroom.com |Ghana