Ghana (Commonwealth Union)_ Leaders of anti-corruption agencies hailing from 21 African member states of the Commonwealth have convened in Accra, Ghana, from May 6th to May 11th, 2024, for a pivotal conference geared towards bolstering regional anti-corruption endeavors. Accordingly, the 14th Annual Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa kicks off today under the overarching theme, “Strengthening Institutions and Promoting Transparency: A Means of Fighting Corruption in Commonwealth Africa.”
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Jointly organized by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Government of Ghana, the conference serves as a platform for the Association of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa to convene, alongside senior government officials, prominent international bodies, civil society representatives, policymakers, and development partners. The primary objectives entail tackling key priorities aligned with achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, exchanging knowledge and best practices, deliberating on the consequences of corruption on Africa’s sustainable development, and delving into innovative strategies to combat corruption.
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The Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, underscored the staggering global toll of corruption, surpassing $3.5 trillion annually. Particularly in developing nations, corruption drains funds at a rate approximately ten times the amount of official development assistance. Africa bears a heavy burden, losing over $50 billion annually to illegal financial flows, surpassing the sum of official development assistance received over the past five decades. Patricia Scotland stressed that the resources wasted due to corruption could uplift entire populations out of poverty and facilitate the realization of the SDGs, reaffirming the Commonwealth Secretariat’s steadfast commitment to combating corruption as a paramount priority.
Dr. Roger Koranteng, Head of Public Sector Governance at the Commonwealth Secretariat, emphasized the imperative of fostering collaboration and solidarity within the Commonwealth through the annual assembly of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa. According to her, the concerted effort to combat corruption not only alleviates poverty but also fosters economic stability, growth, and an enhanced quality of life. The chosen theme for this year, “Strengthening Institutions and Promoting Transparency,” assumes paramount significance as transparency serves as the bedrock for accountability, paving the way for corruption-free institutions and systems. Furthermore, through the exchange of successful methodologies and lessons learned, collective action towards realistic and efficacious anti-corruption measures is envisaged.
Since its inaugural meeting in 2011, the Conference has served as a recurring event on the agenda, as a testament to the Secretariat’s commitment to aiding governments, judicial bodies, law enforcement agencies, and other public institutions in fighting entrenched corruption. This mission is realized through the exchange of best practices, capacity-building initiatives, and policy research. The Association of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa comprises agencies from a diverse array of 21 African countries, including Botswana, Cameroon, Eswatini, Ghana, Gabon, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, the Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia.
