The Anti-Corruption and Transparency (ACT) week celebrations has been launched in a ceremony held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra on Monday, 2^nd December, 2019.

The ceremony which was organised by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) with the support of state actors and non-state actors was sponsored by the Accountability, Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (ARAP) and Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC).

The ACT Week is a platform that seeks to create a national discourse on the successes and challenges in the implementation of NACAP five years on and to reinforce the commitment of implementing partners.

Speaking at the launch, the Ghana’s Ambassador to France and former Acting Commissioner of CHRAJ, Ms. Anna Bossman indicated that to eradicate corruption Ghana needs strong men and women with moral character, with independent mind and driven by the interest of the public.

Ms. Bossman further added that if we have strong and independent institutions but lack the people with strong ethical and moral character, Ghana cannot eradicate corruption. She also added that we need strong men and women to steer strong institutions. She stated that good laws, good policies and strong institutions will not get us very far if we do not have people of good character to implement, enforce, and take strong and unpopular decisions. She intimated that laws are limited when it involves character. Leadership must therefore lead by example, she added.

She also urged independent state prosecuting and investigative agencies to focus more on the implementation and enforcement of the anti-corruption laws to eradicate corruption from the country.

The EU Ambassador, Ms. Diana Acconcia in a speech read on her behalf by Maria Luisa indicated the readiness of the EU to assist Ghana in fighting corruption to create a conducive environment for foreign investment and private sector development in the country.

The Commissioner of CHRAJ, Mr. Joseph Whittal said the ACT celebrations would help know the pros and cons of NACAP since it implementation and would assist in the mid-term evaluation of NACAP in 2020.

The Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ , Mr. Richard Quayson also launched videos which indicated the diverse effects of corruption on citizens and the country at large.

At the launch of the ACT Week, NACAP Information Sheet was also launched. The Information Sheet would help give basic information and understanding to the implementation of NACAP.

The Weeklong activities would continue on Wednesday, 4^th December, 2019 with discussions on Money Laundering and Recovery of Assets: International Cooperation, Mutual Legal Assistance; on Thursday, 5^th December, 2019 there would be a Youth Forum on Integrity; on Monday, 9^th December, 2019 there would be a National Conference to Commemorate International Anti-Corruption Day and on Tuesday, 10^th December, 2019 the crowning of the ACT week with the International Human Rights Day.