International Anti-Corruption Day Campaign at St. Andrews Junior High School Nandom

 On International Anti-Corruption Day, St. Andrews Junior High School came alive as 160 enthusiastic students gathered to commemorate the occasion. The theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” strongly resonated with the participants, underscoring the vital role of young people in promoting ethical values.

The event commenced with a thought-provoking address by Mr. Yaghr Samuel, the focal person for LANeT-Nandom. In his presentation, he shared compelling real-life examples illustrating the far-reaching effects of corruption and emphasized the importance of integrity, accountability, and responsible citizenship.

The programme further engaged students through interactive activities such as debates, quizzes, and art competitions, all designed to raise awareness about the dangers of corruption and to inspire a culture of honesty and transparency among the youth.

A 14-year-old Dery Eunice, shared her hopeful vision, stating, “I dream of a Ghana where corruption is a thing of the past. We, the youth, will lead the change.”

The celebration culminated in a pledge-taking ceremony, during which students committed themselves to upholding integrity and reporting acts of corruption. The event concluded on a powerful note of empowerment, as participants recognized their critical role in shaping a corruption-free future.

In his remarks, the Headmaster, Mr. Naab Constacio, praised the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) and its donor partners for organizing such an educative and impactful programme. He further remarked, “Today, we have sown seeds of integrity that will grow into a forest of change.”

As the students departed, they carried with them a strong message: “Corruption is not just a problem for adults; it is our problem too. Let us unite to build a brighter, corruption-free tomorrow.”

During the youth engagement session, participants also expressed concerns regarding institutions responsible for law enforcement. Some cited the Ghana Police Service as one of the institutions they perceived to be affected by corruption. 

Additionally, students shared their fears about reporting corruption-related issues, particularly the risk of having their identities exposed. In response, they were informed about the protections provided under the Whistleblower Act, 2006 (Act 720), which guarantees confidentiality for individuals who report corrupt practices.

The youth camp concluded with a collective pledge to actively support the fight against corruption and a unifying mantra: “If you see something, say something.”

The following organizations sponsored the program European Union; the Flora and Williams Hewlett Foundation; The Deutsche Gesellschaft fúr Internationale Zusammenarbeit(GÍZ)GmbH and the ministry of finance