A significant stakeholder engagement was held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Atiwa East District Assembly Hall, aimed at strengthening the rule of law and intensifying the fight against corruption in Ghana. The event was jointly organized by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), in partnership with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Information Services Department (ISD).
The program, which commenced promptly at 9:30 a.m., brought together market women, hairdressers, dressmakers, and women leaders from faith-based organizations across the district. The engagement served as an interactive platform for dialogue, education, and awareness creation on important national issues such as human rights, corruption, and the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The event was chaired by the District Coordinating Director (DCD), Mr. Shakil Mahamood Kpedau, who opened the session with an engaging address. Instead of delivering a formal speech, Mr. Kpedau adopted a conversational approach that encouraged open participation, allowing attendees to freely express their opinions and share experiences.
As part of the program, participants were divided into smaller groups to deliberate on the theme of Human Rights. Each group presented a brief summary of their discussions, which covered fundamental human rights and responsibilities, as well as the implications of human rights violations on national and community development.
The District Director of NCCE, Mr. Savior Ametepe, took the opportunity to expand on the topic, explaining the concept of human rights in detail and emphasizing the crucial role of civic education in strengthening democracy and the rule of law. He urged participants to take an active interest in issues of governance and to play their part as responsible citizens.
This was followed by a comprehensive presentation on corruption by Mr. Agbeko Joseph, the District Director of CHRAJ. He defined corruption in its various forms, outlined its damaging effects on national progress, and encouraged citizens to speak up and report corrupt practices through the appropriate channels. Mr. Joseph also outlined CHRAJ’s mandate and explained its procedures for handling complaints relating to corruption and abuse of office.
He later handed over to the Right to Information (RTI) Officer, Mr. Prince Obeng Donkor, who elaborated on the RTI Act 989 (2019). Mr. Donkor highlighted how the Act serves as a powerful tool in the fight against corruption, promoting transparency and accountability in governance. He emphasized that access to information is a fundamental right and an essential instrument for empowering citizens to demand integrity and openness from public officials.
The engagement concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which participants raised pertinent concerns such as how to report corruption anonymously, the local-level effectiveness of the RTI Act, and the protection of whistleblowers. The facilitators addressed these concerns comprehensively, offering practical guidance and reassurance.
The program ended on a high note, with market women, hairdressers, dressmakers, and women leaders from faith-based organizations expressing their appreciation for the education received. They pledged to serve as ambassadors of change in their respective communities, promoting good governance, transparency, and respect for human rights at the grassroots level.
