NCCE Engages Tertiary Student Leaders to Champion Anti-Corruption and Rule of Law

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has engaged student leaders from three tertiary institutions in the Western Region to serve as ambassadors in the fight against corruption and the promotion of the rule of law.

The institutions are the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Essikado Campus; Takoradi Technical University (TTU); and the Effia Nkwanta Nurses and Midwifery Training College (NMTC). The engagement was held at the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital Conference Room.

The program formed part of the NCCE’s efforts to empower young people with the knowledge, values and civic responsibilities needed to contribute meaningfully to the fight against corruption, promote good governance and strengthen Ghana’s democratic development.

Speaking at the program, the Western Regional Director of the NCCE, Mr. Andrew Ofori Larbi, said the education was aimed at empowering citizens to resist corruption, uphold the rule of law and contribute to building a united and accountable society.

He stressed the need for a change in the way governance is conducted in Ghana, noting that transparency, accountability, integrity and ethical leadership must guide the management of the country’s affairs.

Mr. Larbi also urged the students to reject vote trading, which he described as a major threat to Ghana’s democratic development. He encouraged them to support and elect leaders based on competence, integrity, patriotism and commitment to the national interest rather than financial inducements.

He explained that the NCCE was implementing the **“Civic Engagements on the Rule of Law and the Fight Against Corruption” ** project under the Participation, Accountability and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) Program. The project is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, with the NCCE as an implementing partner.

The Dean of Students of NMTC, Mr. Ambrose Kwaku Aboakyi, expressed concern about the huge economic losses associated with corruption. He noted that resources lost through corrupt practices could instead be channeled into the provision of better roads, schools, hospitals and other essential public services.

The Assembly Member for Poise New Takoradi, Mr. Gilbert Afriyie, described corruption as a dangerous national challenge, comparing its destructive effects to illegal mining. He urged citizens to distinguish between their needs and wants and resist practices that undermine national development.

Madam Efua Yankson, Acting Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), urged the students to avoid conflicts of interest, report corrupt practices and uphold personal integrity and ethical values.

Chief Inspector Maxwell Achegeba also encouraged the students to familiarize themselves with Ghana’s laws and conduct themselves responsibly as citizens.

The program ended with a call on the student leaders to become champions of integrity, accountability and the rule of law and to positively influence their peers and wider communities in the fight against corruption.