The Coalition with the support of GTZ Good Governance Programme for the first time organized a competition on anti-corruption for school children between the ages of 12 – 18. 

Languages form an integral part of any educational campaign. It is therefore important that for an educational program on anti-corruption to be acceptable, it should involve the general citizenry.

Experience has shown that public education on anti-corruption are only effective when they are about to create the needed awareness that will effect change. Through public awareness programs individuals are made aware of their own participation in the process and the need to appreciate the extent of corruption as well as the harm it does to individuals and society. Such campaigns’ need to make people to sit up and take notice.

The competition was therefore organized to generate knowledge on what corruption is and bring in youthful minds on the best meaning of corruption in our local language. The project took the form of a competition in first and second cycle institutions to come up with a slogan and art piece about their thoughts on corruption and how it affects our society. The competition was an educational and awareness exercise for the youth to search for a deeper understanding of corruption and its effect on society.

The project implementation was assisted by a seven member panel of Judges comprising individuals such as Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Paramount Chief of Essikado Traditional Area, Mr. Quaye-Mensah Laryea, a Ga writer working with Audit Service, Efo Kodjo Mawugbe, Artist Director and writer of the National Theatre, Mr. Charles Ayamdo, Director , Anti-Corruption Unit of Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Sheikh Seebaway of Islamic University and Mr. Amankwah Ampofo, an Akan writer with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.

The Launch of the Programme was held on 16^th October 2007 at 10 a.m. at the Accra Technical Training Centre Assembly Hall with about 230 pupils and students in attendance. Nana Kobina Nketsia V launched the competition with Ms. Anna Bossman, the Vice President of the Coalition and Ag. Commissioner of CHRAJ chairing the Launching.

At the launch, speeches and comments were made by the Executive Secretary, Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, Ms Anna Bossman, the chair person for the program, and Nana Kobina Nketsia V. The speeches were all centered on the need for the students to be men and women of integrity, not tolerating any acts of corrupt practices in what ever they do and also to encourage them to take the opportunity to send nominations for the competition.

After the launch advertisement were placed in Daily Graphic, Ghanaian Times and the Junior Graphic to enable the public to be aware of the competition. In addition, letters with posters and flyers on the competition were mailed to 2400 schools throughout the country. A four week deadline was provided for the students to send their entries. At the end of the deadline, the Coalition received about 1494 entries. The members of the Panel using a vigorous criterion selected the best 10 of each of the languages in Akan, Ga, Akan and Dagbani.

An awards ceremony was held for the winners on 13^th December 2007 as part of the Coalitions annual anti-corruption week at the National Theatre. The Ministry of Information and National Orientation gave a key note address and expressed their desire to work with the Coalition in the area of public education. Preceding the awards ceremony was an exhibition of the 10 best entrants of each of the languages. The Program Manager of GTZ, Dr. Methhild Reunger, at the awards ceremony was delighted and happy about the impact of the competition. She was also impressed at the participation of the school children in the competition and the slogans and art pieces indicated that they had all taken their time to think about the effects of corruption on our developmental process. The program was a well attended program with Traditional Authorities, Religious Leaders, Teachers, Parents, and public servants working in the area of anti-corruption.

PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION OF STICKERS AND POSTERS ON ANTI-CORRUPTION.

As part of the public education campaign the Coalition printed 10,000 stickers and 36,000 posters and calendars’ using the award winners art pieces in the local languages were printed for distribution to public agencies, ministries, department and agencies and schools. GTZ provided this support as part of the commitment in educating the public on corruption issues.

Click for pictures from the event