Sunyani West NCCE Charges Women to spearhead the Anti-Corruption Advocacy in the area

As a measure to deepen civic consciousness and empower women as agents of change, the Sunyani West Municipal Office of the Commission convened a high-impact civic engagement programme for a women’s group in the Municipality. The event, held at the Presbyterian Church in Nsuatre, focused on strengthening the rule of law and intensifying the fight against corruption through grassroots mobilization.

The gathering drew a diverse cross-section of women from across the municipality: traders, hairdressers, seamstresses, apprentices, pensioners, Queen Mothers, and community leaders, united by a shared commitment to civic responsibility and national development.

Municipal Director of the NCCE, Ms. Margaret Abrafi Appiah, opened the dialogue by recognizing women’s foundational role in shaping character and societal values. She invited participants to share personal experiences with corruption and urged them to become active collaborators with anti-corruption institutions such as the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Ghana Police Service.

“Corruption has stifled our progress for far too long,” Ms. Appiah stated, adding that “women must rise as defenders of integrity and partners in justice”.

Mr. Vincent Missah Akwei, representing the Bono Regional Office of the NCCE, amplified the call for introspection and collective action. While commending the women for their societal contributions, he lamented the erosion of moral values and challenged citizens to confront their complicity in systemic failures. “We must all accept responsibility for the cracks in our civic fabric; only then can we summon the courage to rebuild”, he opined.

Mr. Gordon Matey Kolamong of CHRAJ delivered a compelling presentation on women’s rights, urging participants to uphold and defend these rights as a cornerstone of national progress. He encouraged women to act as whistleblowers, exposing corruption and illegalities that threaten Ghana’s development.

Also present was Chief Inspector Lydia Ameyaw of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Sunyani West Police Command, who emphasized the importance of reporting domestic violence, framing it as a civic duty that safeguards lives and strengthens societal cohesion.

Participants expressed deep appreciation for the programme’s relevance and impact, pledging to serve as ambassadors of change within their communities.

The event is captured under the Participation, Accountability, and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) Programme, which is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-financed by the European Union (EU) and Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implemented by GIZ in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and other partners in Ghana, to promote good governance and foster accountability.