"The war on corruption can only be won if there are strong independent institutions to enforce the rule of law". This statement was made by the European Union Ambassador to Ghana, Honorable Diana Acconcia at the closing event of the Accountability, Rule of Law and Anti-corruption Program (ARAP) after five years in the country.

Ms. Acconcia said that ARAP had been an embodiment of the EU's values including respect for human rights, and accountability. She noted that the program has massively promoted digitization in Ghana to enhance the work of partners and stakeholders. It had also brought together various institutions, stakeholders and offered opportunities for international outreach.

She stated that ARAP made communication a central part of its work because it helped to create public awareness and obtain support in order to fight corruption.

Team leader for ARAP, Ms Ana Sanchez said ARAP had also "fostered the engagement of Ghanaian institutions at the international level, promoting the exchange of experience among peers and the participation in international networks”.

The Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, Honorable Alicia Ricco said in her speech that The International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP) had put in place a complex and multidisciplinary program through a multi-level, multi-stakeholder approach, to support national efforts addressing both the supply and demand side of the accountability and anti-corruption chain thereby strengthening the Rule of Law.

Mr Tuinese Amuzu, Key Expert, Rule of Law, said that ARAP was aimed at promoting good governance in Ghana, contributing to current reform processes in areas such as rule of law and accountability through support for various institutions while increasing support for Civil Service Organizations and the media in order to hold government accountable.

He also said that ARAP had been successful in areas such as the provision of policy support, improvement in digitization, training of library and supreme court staff as well as provision of drones and smartphones for monitoring the activities of small scale miners.

Mr Samuel Akuamoah, Deputy Chair-National Commission for Civic Education said that the FIAPP has enabled the commission achieve many feats in their fieldwork through the provision of logistics , training of research assistants and the printing and circulation of their research report.

Director at the Legal Aid Commission, Mr Martin Ameyaw disclosed that, through PIAC, 10 new district offices had been created and logistics provided to enhance their work across the country. He urged the EU to establish an ARAP office in Ghana.

Other speakers at the event included the Deputy Commissioner for the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ)- Mr Richard Quayson; Program Director for Strengthening Transparency, Accountability and Responsiveness (STAR Ghana)- Mr Amidu Ibrahim-Tanko and representatives from the Judicial Service, Office of the Attorney General, Ghana Police Service, Economic and Organised Crime Office, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

About ARAP:

The ARAP is an EU funded program implemented by the Spanish public foundation, The International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP). The five-year program which began in 2016, worth 20 million Euros, complimented the efforts of the Government of Ghana in its fight against