Crusaders against corruption, especially Transparency International (TI), are doing everything in their might to curb the greedy practices of imbeciles worldwide who are pilfering State coffers and robbing the poor and needy even of what they do not have. TI identifies three reasons that are at the epicenter of corruption: Lack of public access to rules and regulations for obtaining service is core to the corruption pandemic; Corruption feeds on non-transparent conduct and procedures that are inconsistent with the principles of public accountability and, finally; the lack of knowledge among the general public on their rights and entitlements - meaning that ignorance is the fuel on which the bribery of public officials thrives. In spite these pointers, TI, the World Bank and the African Development Bank that are remonstrating against corruption are hard-pressed presenting any actionable blue print that ordinary citizens can effectively employ to defeat the highway bandits that are on our streets and offices and hospitals. The focus of our work here together will be that of empowering citizens into action against those who have, for far too long now, seemingly confused our pockets for their accounts and gone unpunished.
It no longer has to be this way! The time has come for ordinary citizens that are empowered by the knowledge of their rights to reclaim their societies by an infectious use of the power of this knowledge. This forum will dedicate unlimited space and time to achieve this goal by accepting contributions from you who has either been coerced into corruption or has been the victim of corruption. It is also possible that you may have witnessed corruption as a by-passer. The possibility also exists that you may be reporting a family member, such as a spouse or parent who is knee-deep into corruption and needs an awakening call. It could be a colleague or a peer who cannot resist the temptation of reaping where they never sowed. It can also be a confession…Do not consider yourself powerless. Write about your experience and stop justifying the acts of this individual that is holding your future hostage. You can make a difference using a cell phone that is equipped with a camera. Upload the video here at http://innocentsdeal.blogspot.com/ or send an email to innochia@gmail.com.
The corrosive effects of corruption to the society at large and to the soul of an individual would justify why TI has partnered with organizations across the globe in relentless efforts against this cankerworm. In Africa, the Network of African Youth against Corruption (NAYAC) has taken the battle into classrooms and media news desks. From October, 2003 to April, 2004 Zambian facilitators of NAYAC provided governance and anti-corruption classroom lectures to pupils and students in 40 targeted high schools and colleges. The lectures afforded some basic understanding of corruption, its causes, manifestation and consequences, particularly stressing its relations to bad or good governance. While the development of anti-corruption posters at the end of the initiative could be counted among its short-term gains, there is little doubt as to the long term value of such education.
Elsewhere, a similar undertaking by NAYAC in Uganda was to equip 15 journalists of the national print media with skills and techniques for independent investigations and reporting. The premise of the weeklong seminar from May 16-22, 2004 was that a strong and informed media could build citizen participation in the country’s democratic and restructuring process. Citizens who are aware of the significant amounts of money their governments are spending on alleviating poverty are generally in position to monitor these and other expenditures. The question that begs to be answered meantime is how to effect change through monitoring?
It is this exploratory question that takes us directly into the heart of community activism or empowerment and the art of combating corruption. Our deal here is to expose every possible instance of corruption that we know of; any corrupt act that is happening in any given public or private institution or place. We will gladly share your video or pictures of that dirty police officer receiving a bribe. We will gladly share your story of the pot-belly custom official taking advantage of you and yours. Tell us about the teacher who is grading students depending on whether or not you have sex with them. Tell us about the administrator that is offering contracts based on the highest bidder and not the proven ability to efficiently and effectively deliver. We would love to know about those public entrance examinations and the crooked ways of those administering them. We would love to know about that medical doctor that left your loved one to die because they needed cash upfront, or the midwife that left your pregnant wife or mother to bleed to death because you could not afford a down payment. Why do we have to do it?
Because no one else will do it!
After considerable national outcry and international pressure relating to the wanton corruption in his country, President Paul Biya of Cameroon once acknowledged the possibility of some corruption in his country…But he needed proof of acts of corruption! This from the leader of a country infamously rated by TI as the most corrupt country on the globe for two consecutive years in the late 1990's. (Cameroon won the crown again at the end of 2007, with TI showing that 79% of Cameroonians were involved in some act of corruption. Ghana’s top position on the list has been considered a severe blow by many optimists that have been observing the political scene in Africa).
Your contributions and testimonies will be the proof of corrupt conduct. Ultimately, however, our real deal is that we will be examining best possible ways of saying NO to the low- life-blood-sucking vampires that have made corruption synonymous with life. All it takes is the commitment of you and me deciding to do it. This is our challenge this New Year 2008 and moving forward. Our actions will form a National Entity of Corruption Killers (NECK).
Innocent Chia
Citizen Journalist
email: innochia@gmail.com
…One a time!
