Corruption perpetuates itself when left unchecked – Bernard Azotiba
Youth advocate warns corruption breeds further corruption, calls for stronger accountability
Bernard Azotiba, Youth Advocate.Political commentator and youth advocate in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality, Bernard Azotiba has described corruption as a cycle that perpetuates itself, warning that acts of dishonesty at the beginning of a process often create conditions for further corruption.
Speaking on the Voices of Change on Mike FM on Saturday August 8, Azotiba said corruption undermines accountability, weakens institutions and erodes public trust.
“When something is built on corruption, it rarely ends cleanly. Corruption at the beginning often creates more corruption at every stage. What starts in corruption will end in corruption,” he said.
He said one of the major consequences of corruption was the betrayal of public trust, explaining that persistent corrupt practices could make citizens lose confidence in institutions and the people entrusted with public responsibilities.
According to him, corruption also disproportionately affects the poor and vulnerable while allowing influential individuals to benefit from systems meant to serve the broader population.
He further argued that corruption retards national growth and development, describing it as a “deadly and dangerous disease” that requires collective action to combat.
Azotiba explained that corruption takes different forms, with bribery being one of the most common.
He stressed that every corrupt act creates a foundation for the continuation of corrupt practices.
“Every corrupt activity started is a foundation laid for its continuation,” he stated.
Azotiba also raised concerns about gaps in public policy and resource management, citing situations where professionals are trained in numbers beyond the capacity of government to employ them as an area requiring careful consideration and accountability.
On accountability, he acknowledged that holding individuals and institutions accountable could be difficult because of the complexity of corruption and the extent to which some people may be implicated in corrupt practices.
“It takes someone with a strong conscience to be accountable. It is difficult to be accountable because we are deeply immersed or complicit in corrupt activities,” he said.
He further noted that fear of victimisation often discourages people from reporting suspected corruption.
According to him, individuals who expose corrupt practices may face name-calling, targeting and threats, with some fearing that speaking out could put their jobs, families and personal safety at risk.
He therefore urged citizens to reject corruption, demand accountability and promote integrity in their respective communities.
Mike 105.3FM I Navrongo | Cynthia Afaah
