Speaker of Parliament, Kingsford Sumana Alban Bagbin, has called on the Ghanaian youth to actively participate in strategies put in place by the government to rid the nation of corruption.

Speaker Bagbin stressed that empowering the next generation is a shared responsibility and emphasized that young people are already leaders today.

He called on all stakeholders to work collectively through reforms, civic vigilance, and education to create a Ghana free of corruption, ensuring a brighter, more equitable future for generations to come.

In a keynote address at the Governance and Anti-Corruption Summit organized by the Bright Future Alliance, the Speaker noted that essential public service are compromised due to illicit activities such as tax evasion that cost the country millions of cedis.

Citing reports such as the Justice Anim Report of 1970 and recent data from the World Bank and Auditor-General, he noted that significant resource leakages hinder the country’s progress.

He referenced the $12 million paid for the Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam when no work had been completed.

On the matter, the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA) in May last year, revealed that the government was expected to pay USD 48,570,889.69 million (which constitutes 12% of the total contract sum of USD 404,757,414.06) as mobilisation to the contractor (Messrs Power Construction Corporation of China) subject to the provision of an advance payment guarantee from a reputable bank.

Following the receipt of the advance payment guarantee with face value of USD 60,713,612.11 from the contractor’s bankers (Stanbic Bank), an amount of USD 11,949,088.06 (25% of the total advance mobilisation required ) was paid in three tranches.

He bemoaned how corruption robs the nation of opportunities to improve living conditions and reduce poverty.

The Speaker further stated that corruption disproportionately affects the poor and widens inequality, thereby stalling efforts towards poverty alleviation and economic growth.

He thus stressed the urgent need for Ghana to break the pervasive chains of corruption.

The Speaker spoke of the need for civic engagement and institutional reforms, noting Parliament’s efforts to strengthen oversight through various committees and increased transparency initiatives.

He highlighted new measures like the establishment of Departments of Public Engagement and Citizen’s Bureau, designed to amplify citizen participation and ensure government accountability.

However, he emphasized that building a culture of integrity must start from individual homes, schools, and communities, advocating for values such as honesty and ethical leadership to be ingrained from a young age.

He announced the recent inauguration of the National Integrity Award Scheme aimed at rewarding integrity and promoting ethical behavior across society.