Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Mary Addah, has underscored the persistent governance challenges in Ghana that threaten political accountability and impede the country’s progress toward key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking at a media workshop on anti-corruption and governance reforms in Accra, Mrs Addah pointed to public sector corruption, opaque public procurement processes, and limited youth engagement in governance as key areas of concern.
“These systemic issues are eroding trust in public institutions and delaying progress on SDG 16, particularly in the areas of governance, justice, and institutional effectiveness,” Mrs Addah stated, highlighting SDG targets 16.4, 16.5, and 16.9, which focus on tackling corruption, fostering transparency, and building strong institutions as being especially vulnerable.
Speaking further, Mrs Addah noted that the lack of transparency around government policies, budget allocation, and public service delivery exacerbates the disconnect between the government and its citizens, leading to public apathy.
“When citizens do not have access to vital information, their ability to hold officials accountable is compromised,” she quipped.
Adding that, the role of the media is critical in bridging this gap and driving the reforms needed to strengthen Ghana’s governance landscape.
“This workshop is pivotal in empowering the media to become agents of change, providing accurate and impactful reporting that can galvanize civil society and support the push for greater accountability,” she added.
The workshop, held on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, falls under the Anti-Corruption Initiative for Enhancing Governance and Accountability Project jointly run by the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), and the Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP), with support from the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth Development Office.
The workshop aims to equip journalists with the tools to report on governance and anti-corruption efforts more effectively.
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