The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), in partnership with the Wassa Amenfi West Municipal Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has engaged pupils of some basic schools to promote transparency, integrity and accountability. 

The programme, held on the theme: ‘Building evidence for increased accountability in Ghana through a multi-stakeholder accountability initiative,’ targeted students of the All Saints Academy and Mount Calvary Basic School. 

The interactive session gave students the platform to share their understanding of corruption and suggest ways to combat it. 

The pupils defined corruption as the abuse of entrusted power or public office for personal gain through dishonest means such as bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, favouritism, and fraud. 

They identified various forms of corruption to include examination malpractice, extortion, abuse of office, and the misappropriation of public funds.  

They noted that corruption occurred in schools, workplaces, public institutions, and society at large. 

The students said greed, poverty, unemployment, weak enforcement of laws, lack of integrity, inadequate civic education, and the desire for quick wealth, were some of the key drivers of corruption. 

“When people are not held accountable for their actions, corruption tends to increase,” one student said. 

To address the menace, the pupils proposed practical solutions including inculcating honesty and integrity from an early age, strengthening civic and anti-corruption education in schools, enforcing anti-corruption laws without fear or favour, and providing protection for whistle-blowers. 

Mr Cornelius Ahiekpor, the Wassa Amenfi West Municipal Director of NCCE and facilitator for the programme, commended the students for their insightful contributions. 

He urged them to uphold the values of honesty and patriotism in their daily lives, stressing that the fight against corruption required the collective efforts of government institutions, civil society organisations, schools, parents, traditional leaders, the media, and the youth. –GNA

Toddlers from various kindergarten schools in the Eastern Region on Tuesday thrilled patrons with impressive cultural performances at this year’s Kindergarten festival organised by the Centre for National Culture (CNC) in Koforidua.

The children from the participating schools recited poetry, staged drama performances and performed a variety of traditional dances, including Kete, Kpatse, Borborbor and Apatampa, under the theme: ‘Little Stars: Celebrating Our Culture for Future Impact.’

Participating schools included Love Community Kindergarten, Koforidua Grammar School, Solomon School, Charles Wesley Academy, Unique Kiddie Care, Alpha Hills School, Assemblies of God Kindergarten, Brentford Academy, Liberty Academy, Berlin Academy, Bolders Journey School and New Dawn School.

The Acting Eastern Regional Director of the CNC, Dr Salamatu Alhassan, said research had shown that children exposed to arts and culture from an early age developed strong intellectual and communication skills.

“These toddlers participating in this festival have the potential to be ahead of their peers because training in arts and culture broadens their minds and enhances their intelligence.

Dr Alhassan said, considering the numerous benefits of arts and cultural education, it was important to nurture children from an early age to become future ambassadors of Ghana’s rich cultural heritage and contributors to the country’s creative economy.

She said the CNC was mandated to promote Ghana’s arts and culture and assured that such festivals would continue to be organised regularly to provide more children with opportunities to develop their talents.

Dr Alhassan encouraged parents and teachers to support children to participate in cultural festivals and related activities to help build their confidence, creativity and appreciation of Ghanaian culture.

The Eastern Regional Director of the Department of Children, Mr Emmanuel Nana Osei, said exposing young children to Ghanaian culture through such festivals was essential because it helped them develop a strong sense of identity.

He said as future leaders, children needed to understand their cultural roots to develop a sense of belonging and appreciate the need to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Mr Osei also urged parents to encourage their children to participate in poetry, drama and traditional dance activities to nurture their talents and preserve Ghana’s cultural heritage.

From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua