Fighting Corruption: GACC emphasizes prevention

Frederick Asiamah

We can equate fighting corruption to fighting any medical anomaly. If we agree, then, prevention is certainly better than cure! That is how the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) has been approaching its work.

The GACC has come to realise that it is more rewarding to focus on the “preventive side” than the curative side of corruption, according to Mrs. Florence F. Dennis, the Executive Secretary. Mrs. Dennis points out that the Coalition has done much work in this area. Generally, the approach has been a push for the implementation of anti-corruption laws.

Currently, the Coalition has nine institutional members, namely: the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD)-Ghana; the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA); the National Governance Programme (NGP); the Private Enterprise Foundation (PEF); the Serious Fraud Office (SFO); the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA); the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ); the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII); and the Forum of Religious Bodies (FORB).

Being composed of cross-sectorial groupings, one of its objectives is to create a forum for interaction among the government, public and private institutions and civil society groups working in the area of anti-corruption. Another goal is to foster greater cooperation with international organisations and other development partners involved in the global effort to establish good governance for sustainable development and anti corruption. Still, another aim is to foster transparency in order to limit opportunities for corruption in government, public and private institutions and civil society organisations.

Activities

The GACC tailors its programmes and activities to reflect a vision “to build a society in which honesty, transparency, accountability and integrity are upheld.” And it lives by a mission that seeks to facilitate anti-corruption activities in Ghana through the concerted efforts of its membership and in collaboration with other stakeholders.

Mrs. Dennis together with Mr. Bernard Henebeng Asamoah, Research Officer and Miss Sandra Arthur, Administrative/Programmes Officer, told Public Agenda that GACC pursues specific activities under three main thematic areas which are information and education materials; monitoring and evaluation of Anti-corruption process; and advocacy for Anti-corruption measures.

Under the information and education materials area, the GACC undertakes the publishing of quarterly bulletins and annual reports on corruption. It has also supported the research and publication of academic papers for use by researchers, universities and colleges. Over the years, these materials have informed and educated various target audiences on specific anti-corruption issues and their effect on development.

Regarding monitoring and evaluation of Anti-Corruption processes, the Coalition has undertaken various surveys, round table discussions, dialogues, and annual lectures which were aimed at creating the channels for monitoring and evaluating the various measures aimed at minimizing corruption in the Ghanaian society.

In the area of advocacy for Anti-corruption measures, the GACC through its constituent members has undertaken advocacy activities aimed at sensitizing influential persons, policy makers, traditional and opinion leaders, youth leaders, women and religious bodies, public and private organizations to support activities aimed at combating corruption.

Achievements

The Coalition has chalked up some feats albeit with some amount of difficulty. Notably, in 2000, the Coalition undertook the Ghana Governance and Corruption Survey countrywide leading eventually to the development of the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan that same year. Between 2003 and 2007 it successfully embarked on the Youth in Governance and Anti-Corruption programme to promote transparency, accountability and integrity within youth groups particularly in second cycle and tertiary institutions.

From 2005 to 2006, it developed “Corruption Monitoring Indicators” which Mrs. Dennis pointed out were being applied to source for information on the implementation of anti-corruption measures. The GACC has also been monitoring the implementation of the Whistle Blowers Act 2006 with eagle’s eyes since 2007.

It has also successfully influenced the perspectives of young Ghanaians on corruption through the organisation of the National Anti-Corruption Slogan & Art Competition for youth between the ages of 12 and 18 in 2007. It met its objective of giving the young Ghanaian the opportunity to express their views on corruption, its effects on society and how to fight it.

Funding

Most of the activities that the GACC carries out are supported by donors. Over the years, donors such as the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Good Governance Section of the German Development Cooperation (GTZ) have distinguished themselves as ardent supporters of the course of GACC.

A recent addition to its pool of donors is the Ghana Research and Advocacy Programme (G-RAP). In August 2008, the GACC secured a core grant of US$220,000 for a period of 18 months from the G-RAP. The mainstay of the funding is to enhance the running of the Coalition’s Secretariat and also to help the GACC’s research, advocacy and networking activities. With this support, GACC will conduct research for update on Anti-Corruption Action Plan, track the implementation of Revised Action Plan, continue the production of Quarterly Bulletins and observe the annual anti-corruption week in December. Aside these main activities, part of the funding will be used to support GACC’s relations with the media.

The way forward

Going forward, the GACC will continue to push for the mainstreaming of anti-corruption measures into policy decisions. Its numerous anti-corruption public education programmes both at the regional and national levels will continue in order to promote the Anti-corruption agenda; increase people’s knowledge on corruption and its effects on society; and promote and serve as a platform for exchange of information and other policy issues. The GACC will also seek to enrich the process of citizen-government engagement through policy dialogues.

It prays, however, that funding like that of G-RAP’s will continue to be available because such funding “eases the administrative cost” of GACC, according to Mrs. Dennis. “The G-RAP has been tremendous and kept the Secretariat running,” adds Miss Arthur. She says it has also “enhanced the image of GACC.”