In a bold push to place the youth at the centre of the fight against corruption, the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) marked this year’s African Union Anti-Corruption Day (AUACD) with a youth-led civic engagement campaign in Ada East District.
Under the continental theme “Youth Against Corruption: Raising Voices for Accountability,” the community outreach initiative empowered local young people to see themselves not as passive observers, but as active defenders of transparency and accountability in Ghana’s public life.
At the heart of the programme was a call for generational ownership of the anti-corruption movement. Civic educators, local accountability advocates, and student leaders came together in an open dialogue that challenged participants to reflect on how systemic corruption directly undermines their future—whether through poor education, unemployment, or weakened public infrastructure.
Miss Faustina Blewusi, Ada East District Director of the NCCE, called on the youth to take the anti-corruption agenda personally. “If we want a better future, we must fight for it today,” she urged. “Speak up when you see wrongdoing—but do so responsibly, with truth and evidence.”
The event also featured a powerful session led by Miss Betty Sackey, a youth engagement officer from GACC’s Local Accountability Networks (LANets), where she broke down practical strategies for grassroots activism. She emphasized the “3Rs” framework—Resist, Reject, and Report—as a civic toolkit that every young person can adopt daily.
“Being a whistleblower doesn’t mean being reckless. It means being courageous, strategic, and informed,” she explained. “The Office of the Special Prosecutor exists for a reason—use the right channels and protect yourself while holding power to account.”
Backed by the Hewlett-Packard Foundation, GACC’s AUACD outreach this year has already engaged over 40 districts nationwide, with Ada East standing out for the energy and resolve shown by its youth.
More than just a symbolic observance, the day’s activities echoed a growing movement that sees young Ghanaians stepping into leadership roles within civic spaces. Through platforms like LANets, over 27,000 youth across 33 districts have been trained in anti-corruption advocacy and civic responsibility in the past year alone.
Speakers at the event celebrated the enthusiasm of Ada’s youth and urged them to carry the momentum forward beyond AU observances. “Don’t wait for a special day to speak up,” Miss Sackey noted. “Your voice matters every day—in school, in your home, and in your community.”
As Ghana’s future leaders rise, the message is clear: the youth are no longer on the sidelines—they are now frontline actors in the pursuit of a just, accountable society.
