African Anti-Corruption Leaders Convene in Accra for Commonwealth Conference

From 6 May to 11 May 2024, the heads of anti-corruption agencies from 21 African member states of the Commonwealth will convene in Accra, Ghana. This significant conference, the 14th Annual Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa, kicks off today with a focus on the theme “Strengthening Institutions and Promoting Transparency: A Means of Fighting Corruption in Commonwealth Africa”.

Organised jointly by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Government of Ghana, the conference aims to unite members of the Association of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa, alongside senior government officials, relevant international organisations, civil society, policymakers, and development partners. The objective is to address key priorities for achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, share knowledge and good practices, discuss the impacts of corruption on sustainable development in Africa, and explore innovative approaches in the fight against corruption.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, highlighted the staggering global cost of corruption, emphasizing its detrimental impact on developing countries. Africa alone loses more than $50 billion annually to illicit financial flows. The Secretary-General stressed the importance of combating corruption as a top priority for the Commonwealth Secretariat, underscoring the organization’s commitment to implementing the SDGs.

Dr. Roger Koranteng, Head of Public Sector Governance at the Commonwealth Secretariat, emphasized the vital role of collaboration and mutual support in tackling corruption within the Commonwealth. This year’s theme, “Strengthening Institutions and Promoting Transparency,” underscores the crucial link between transparency, accountability, and corruption-free institutions.

Since its establishment in 2011, the Conference has been an annual event, integral to the Secretariat’s mission of assisting governments, judges, police, and other public institutions in combating systemic corruption. Through the sharing of best practices, training, and policy research, the conference contributes to building robust anti-corruption mechanisms across member states.

The Association of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa comprises agencies from 21 African countries, including Botswana, Cameroon, Eswatini, Ghana, Gabon, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia.