Nsawkaw: The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) in collaboration with the Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and the Ghana Integrity Initiative have trained the Tain Local Accountability Network (LANet) in the Bono Region to ensure accountability. The two-day capacity building training workshop was also aimed at enhancing the capacity of the participants to advocate greater transparency in public administration, enhance the rule of law and justice delivery system in the district. It was attended by 30 members of the LANet, including representatives from the civil society, youth groups, women-based associations, minority groups and People with Disabilities (PwDs) and equipped the participants with tools and knowledge to fight forms of corruption. The workshop was in line with a European Union (EU) funded project titled 'Strengthening accountability, rule of law, and institutional responsiveness in Ghana,' being implemented by the organisers. It further marks a significant step in ongoing eff orts to strengthen the capacities of local anti-corruption networks, nationwide, ensuring that citizens are well-informed and empowered to demand transparency and accountability from people in leadership positions. Mr Mustapha M. Yeboah, the Executive Director of the Center of Posterity Interest Organisation (COPIO) and the lead institution for the project implementation in the Tain District, emphasised the importance of active citizen involvement in the fight against corruption. He said corruption undermined development, governance, and public trust, and 'through the project, we aim to form a LANet to educate and empower citizens to understand the corruption situation in Ghana and the importance of actively addressing the menace'.'Many citizens do not recognise how corruption negatively impacts them, and our goal is to raise awareness about its detrimental effects on the country's development,' he stated. Mr Samuel Harrison-Cudjoe, the Programmes Officer, GACC, indicated that normalising corruption incre ased the cost-of-service delivery and diversion of state resources, instead of being used for national development. He said electoral corruption also contributed to expensive elections, where politicians prioritized winning power over integrity and urged citizens to remain assertive when politicians make promises and offer gifts for their votes. Mr Harrison-Cudjoe said equipping LANet members with the necessary skills and knowledge, communities could better advocate reforms that would enhance accountability and the rule of law. Other facilitators at the workshop included representatives from the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). Source: Ghana News Agency