Upper East NCCE Empowers Youth Leaders to Champion Ethical Leadership and Fight Corruption

Young people in the Upper East Region have been urged to promote ethical leadership, transparency and accountability as part of efforts to build a responsible, peaceful and corruption-free Ghana. The call was made by the Upper East Regional Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) during a one-day Youth Leaders’ Empowerment Dialogue at the Bolgatanga Technical University Auditorium.

Bringing together 57 youth leaders, the programme sought to deepen participants’ understanding of public accountability, anti-corruption, ethical leadership, good governance and the rule of law. Participants were drawn from St. John Bosco College of Education, Regentropfen University, the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, and Bolgatanga Technical University. Representatives of NUGS, SRCs, JCRs, TEIN, TESCON, civil society organisations, the media, organised youth groups and persons with disabilities also attended.

Commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the initiative is co-financed by the European Union and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. It is being implemented by GIZ in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, with the NCCE serving as an implementing partner.

Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Upper East Regional Director of the NCCE, Mr. Augustine Akugri, said the fight against corruption required the active involvement of citizens and could not be left solely to government institutions. “The fight against corruption cannot be left to government institutions alone. It requires the active participation of citizens, particularly the youth,” he stated.

According to Mr. Akugri, the dialogue was designed to equip youth leaders with practical knowledge that would enable them to promote positive behavioural change within their institutions and communities. He encouraged participants to apply the lessons acquired by promoting integrity, responsibility and accountability wherever they found themselves.

Beyond demanding accountability from public officials, he urged young people to participate actively in governance by asking critical questions, sharing ideas and contributing to public decision-making. He stressed that the youth must also hold themselves to the same high ethical standards they expected from political leaders and public office holders.

Facilitating the dialogue, Rev. Fr. Dr. Augustine Ayaga, Parish Priest of St. Theresa Catholic Church, Paga, underscored the importance of the rule of law in promoting peace, justice, stability and national development. He warned that disregard for the law could create instability, human rights abuses, disorder and underdevelopment.

Rev. Fr. Dr. Ayaga also expressed concern about the gradual erosion of values such as integrity, honesty, respect for authority, politeness and decorum in public discourse. He challenged participants to demonstrate exemplary leadership by consciously embracing and promoting these values in their personal, institutional and community lives.

During the interactive session, participants called for stronger and adequately resourced law enforcement institutions to improve the fight against corruption. They also advocated transparent and independent appointment processes for key public institutions to strengthen public confidence and enhance accountability.

By the close of the engagement, participants had renewed their commitment to serve as ambassadors of ethical leadership, integrity, transparency and responsible citizenship within their institutions and communities.