UN Urges African Countries to Invest in Corruption Prevention

Addis Ababa May13/2018 Africa needs to invest in corruption prevention strategies to achieve inclusive sustainable development, United Nations Under Secretary General and Special Adviser on Africa, Bience Gawanas said. Speaking at a two-day Regional Coordination Mechanism for Africa (RCM) meeting held in Addis Ababa with the side  Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Gawanas said preventing graft would help save the continent billions of dollars. “Corruption is a clear and present threat to achieving a sustainable path to Africa’s transformation,” she said, adding graft was not only hindering essential services delivery but also undermining governments by destroying public trust and eroding the rule of law; increasing inequality and hindering national and local economic development. According to Gawanas, corruption threatened the continent’s peace and security, particularly with its youthful population looking for equal opportunity, inclusive growth, decent jobs, good education and health care systems. “Today’s youth are not ones who will sit quietly when faced with injustice. When governments and institutions loose this public trust because of corruption, they squander hard-fought gains in sustainable development, social cohesion as well as peace and security,” the Special Adviser added. She also said given the global nature of corruption, the UN had a great convening power to help fight the scourge, adding her office will continue to dedicate its resources to finding a cure for graft. She commended the African Union for choosing the theme; “Winning the fight against corruption: A sustainable path for Africa’s transformation” for the year 2018 saying; ‘rooting out the evil of corruption will make Africa a more equitable place and bring us one step closer to the overarching aim of the 2030 Agenda of leaving no-one behind and that of Agenda 2063 of creating the Africa we want’. According to the press release issued by Economic Comission For Africa (ECA), the meeting will issue an updated plan of action for the UN’s Regional Coordination Mechanism to support the AU.