Corruption Perception High in Ashanti Region Despite Being NPP stronghold: Penplusbytes Metogu Report Findings

Kumasi– Thursday 28^th June 2018

Following the successful launch of the Penplusbytes’ (www.penplusbytes.org) METOGU! Study findings on Anti-corruption in Accra, the project team will be in Kumasi on the Thursday 28^th of June to engage citizens on the report findings.
This event forms part of scheduled activities earmarked by Penplusbytes to engage citizens, the media and other stakeholders in the selected project regions to share the final research findings and provide an opportunity to discuss and dialogue on regional basis the findings of the Metogu (Keep the pressure on) anti-corruption research.
The Ashanti region served as one of the Metogu research locations. According to previous national elections, the region commands the position of being the stronghold of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, therefore it provided a stronger perspective from view point of persons living in the region.
Interestingly, from the research, an overwhelming 97.5% of the respondents in the Ashanti region posited that corruption is very high in Ghana, which correlated to similar views expressed by citizens in the other research regions of Greater Accra (95.2%), Western (95.7%) and Volta region (93.2%).
“Corruption is indeed a national canker and needs a concerted effort and multi-pronged approach where all citizens are involved in the fight to ensure it is reduced to the barest minimum so that the government’s mantra of ‘Ghana beyond aid’ becomes a reality…” Kwami Ahiabenu II, Executive Director, Penplusbytes.
The Metogu (Keep the pressure on) is a 2-year Penplusbytes’ Project with support from the UK-AID funded “Strengthening Action against Corruption” (STAAC) programme. The project aims at creating awareness among citizens on government interventions to fight corruption and create pathways for citizens to hold government to account to deliver on their promises.
In the Ashanti Region the anti-corruption research was carried out in the following selected districts: the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Asante Akim Central Municipal Assembly (AACMA) and Asante Akim South District Assembly (AASDA)
The METOGU Project report is downloadable via www.penplusbytes.org/metogu

For any press enquiries please contact
Precious Ankomah
E:  precious.ankomah@penplusbytes.org
T: +233 24 199 5737 (WhatsApp)
Skype: Penplusbytes
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About Penplusbytes www.penplusbytes.org
Penplusbytes is a not-for-profit organization driving change through innovations in three key areas: using new digital technologies to enable good governance and accountability, new media and innovations, and enhancing media oversight for effective utilization of mining, oil and gas revenue and resources.

NPP Government losing the fight against corruption – 7 out of 10 Ghanaians say

Accra – Monday, 18th June 2018

Penplusbytes’ (www.penplusbytes.org ) METOGU! Study findings on Anti-corruption indicates, some Ghanaians hold a perception that government’s attitude in delivering on its promises to curb corruption is rather lukewarm.

Over 95 percent of the respondents in the study affirmed that corruption is high in Ghana and is highly pervasive in the public sector where a vast majority have had to pay facilitation or illegal fees to access services. In addition, the study found out that 7 out of 10 are generally unsatisfied with government’s efforts so far at fighting corruption.

Indeed, corruption perception remains very high amongst many Ghanaians with some of the view that the current government has done little or nothing in the fight against corruption. Furthermore, the Sustainable Development Goal 16 specifically mentioned the issue of corruption and the need to deal with it. Based on this assertion, Penplusbytes’ (www.penplusbytes.org) under the UK-AID funded “Strengthening Action Against Corruption” (STAAC) programme embarked on the METOGU! (keeping the pressure on!) project to create awareness about the current governments promises on anti-corruption and at the same time carry out a research to gauge citizens perception of how government is performing in implementing its anti-corruption promises through a comprehensive participatory monitoring & evaluation (PM&E) tool.

In all, four regions were selected for the study namely Ashanti, Volta, Greater Accra and Western regions in order to capture varied and divergent opinions. Nearly 800 respondents drawn from a wide spectrum of the population of Ghana participated in the study.

The METOGU!! Report covered seven key anti-corruption themes: General Corruption Issues, the Creation of the Office of Special Prosecutor, passage of the Right to Information Bill, compliance with the Public Procurement Act and Value for Money, Beneficial Ownership Title, a Public Officers’ Code of Conduct and Assets Declaration Regime, the National Health Insurance Scheme and the School Feeding Programme.

According to Kwami Ahiabenu II, Executive Director of Penplusbytes, “This report is to serve as a basis for dialogue between ordinary citizens and the Executive where the former gets the opportunity to inform government of what they think about its efforts in fighting corruption and proffer recommendations to review and address what progress it is making on its anti-corruption promises in a collaborative way which takes citizen needs into consideration and involves wider stakeholders.”

Penplusbytes’ 2-year METOGU! Project aimed at creating awareness amongst citizens on government interventions to fight corruption and create pathways for citizens to hold government to account to deliver on their promises.

The METOGU Project report is downloadable via www.penplusbytes.org/metogu



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About Penplusbytes www.penplusbytes.org

Penplusbytes is a not-for-profit organization driving change through innovations in three key areas: using new digital technologies to enable good governance and accountability, new media and innovations, and enhancing media oversight for effective utilization of mining, oil and gas revenue and resources.