The programme seeks to promote good governance in the country by reducing corruption and improving on accountability and compliance with the law.

It derives funding support from the European Union in collaboration with the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) would engage the citizenry on issues related to anti-corruption and the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP).

Mr Mumuni Alengah, Bawku West District Director in charge of the NCCE who announced this at a sensitisation durbar for members of the Binaba lorry station on Tuesday identified corruption as a bad practice that had negative effects on the economy and that there was the need for the citizenry to fight the canker out of society.

Mr Alengah noted that the programme was targeting areas including; workplaces, identifiable groups, traditional authority and opinion leaders in 40 communities in the district to sensitise them in the fight against the menace.

He said corruption was the abuse of entrusted power for private gains, and indicated that if it was allowed to grow in the society, only few irresponsible individuals would develop while the majority of the people suffer in poverty.

Mr Alengah hinted that corruption contained elements including; briberies, kickbacks, nepotism, fraud, embezzlement and misappropriation of funds that were meant for the development of the community.

Mr Alengah mentioned that even though corruption was caused by competition for insufficient goods and services, scarcity of public goods, poorly paid worker salaries and limited opportunities, people should resist the temptation and endure the pain since it would soon be over.

He pointed out that corruption was a major obstacle to democracy and said it disturbed the rule of law institutional capabilities and undermined peoples trust in the political system, and leadership, adding that corruption impeded business growth, escalated cost and posed serious legal and reputational risks.

The District Director indicated that another consequence of bribery and corruption was the environmental degradation in which none of the environmental laws were enforceable since bribes were paid in return for unrestricted destruction.

He called on all stakeholders to build partnerships and create transparency and accountability platforms that could allow all to participate in the decision-making process.