CORRUPTION IN AFRICA, THE WAY FORWARD

Corruption is Africa’s biggest challenge, it is clear to Africans that the level of corruption in her country is high. It is in, practically all institutions including religious institutions. It’s found in every sector of society.

Morris 1991 said corruption is the giving of a bribe to an official so that the truth will not be told. It involves the embezzlement of public fund for personal use and any act which is considered to be criminal act according to the law of a particular society.

Causes of corruption in Africa

1. Weak Government institutions
2. Poverty
3. Lack of openness and Transparency in public service
4. Absence of key anti corruption tools
5. Ineffective political processes
6. Culture and acceptance of corruption by the populace
7. Ethnic and religious difference Resource scramble

8. Greed

9. Poor education and illiteracy

Corruption has undermined and continues to undermine development in Africa, fine is found in all country and society but in Africa it must receive serious concern because corruption in Africa continues to be pervasive to the detriment of the continent.

Because of corruption, there is little growth in various institutions across states in Africa. Germany, Spain, France etc as a country have higher GDP as against above 50 states in Africa put together, and this is so because of corruption and its impact.

Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf once said, Africa is poor, because it is poorly governed. Africans are poor because their leaders have chosen that part if I must add. Corruption prevails in Africa because Africans are found of punishing minor offence even to some extent to death penalty and electing the big thieves into electoral position and public office.

Question I often ask myself is, corruption Is often fought, but why is it that across Africa the war of corruption have never been won? What is really the problem?We have created an environment that causes thieves, and perpetrators of corruption to thrive, however, there are some countries in Africa who have succeeded in fighting corruption, due to good leadership.

What must we do to savage our continent from corruption? Since it is a serious business and should not be left to the political class, first is to understand why the fight against corruption is not working.

The fight against corruption in Africa is not working because of the following factors:
1. Insincerity of Government
2. Pre bargaining and Negotiation, highly placed officials caught of corrupt practices are made to part with some of their looted funds and are thereafter set free.
3. Low deterrent- the punitive measures for corrupt practices need to be strengthened
4. Lack of virile political and social movements to tackle corruption. The mass of the people are yet to be mobilizes in the fight against corruption
5. Lack of access to public information. A lot of secrecy still pervades Government document and this underlies the need for the passage of the freedom of Information Bill presently before Nigeria’s National Assembly.
6. Insecurity of Informants. There is a need to enact laws to protect informants as well as reward them
7. Low public participation in Governance
8. Corrupt Electoral system
9. Nepotism
10. Systemic disorder
11. Weak Government Institutions

To fight corruption in Africa, there must be collaboration among the Africa states. it can be done generally or regionally.

One of every 5 African is a Nigerian, and it is generally believed that the day Nigeria will realize her potential, that is the day Africa will rise. Therefore the need for Nigeria to play her leadership role in Africa.

Let me end with the word of Prof Lumumba who said, corruption thrive in Africa simply because of bad government. Men only change their behavior when there is a threat of pain, of deprivation or imprisonment.

 This however  reflect the word of Nigerian prominent actor “Pete Edochie who on his visit to Ghana for a movie shoot visited J J Rawling  who upon discussing corruption in Africa said, government officials should swear by lesser gods like “Amadioha” or “Sango” and corruption will stop. As If there are serious consequences to corruption it will check it to a great extent.