Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has described the youth as the nation’s greatest hope for a corruption-free future.
He made these remarks at the maiden edition of the African Governance and Anti-Corruption Summit, organised by the Bright Future Alliance, held on June 26, 2025, at the West African Genetic Medical Centre, University of Ghana.
The summit was held under the theme: “Breaking the Chain of Corruption: Empowering the Next Generation for a Brighter Tomorrow through Good Governance.”
He praised young people for refusing to stay silent in the face of wrongdoing, calling their demand for integrity the nation’s greatest hope.
“As young people, your refusal to be silent, your call for a new culture of integrity, is our nation’s greatest hope,” he said.
Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, also spoke at the event, expressing concern over Ghana’s lack of political will in fighting corruption.
“If we are determined to fight corruption, we will get somewhere. But I don’t see Ghana as actually determined to fight corruption,” he stated.
He further proposed a major reform separating the office of the Attorney General from that of the Minister of Justice to ensure independence and reduce political interference.
“We need a career Attorney General who is not a politician and does not depend on any political party for their appointment,” he emphasised.
Also addressing the gathering, Executive Director of the Bright Future Alliance, Mr. Bright Ofori, advocated for the institutionalisation of Youth Advisory Boards across key state institutions, including Parliament and the Presidency.
“The United Nations has them. The European Parliament has them. Most countries have youth advisory boards. Mr. Speaker, I am advocating for the creation of youth advisory boards attached to key state institutions,” he stated.
The summit ended with the launch of two new anti-corruption initiatives by the Bright Future Alliance: Lawyers for Good Causes and Corporations Against Corruption. Both programs aim to mobilise legal and corporate actors to support the national fight against corruption.
–
Story by Kwadwo Owusu Anane | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Cindy Selasi Humade
