MINISTER of State in the President’s Office, Public Service Management, and Good Governance, George Simbachawene has laid emphasis on the use of science and technology in combating corruption.
Delivering his opening remarks at the continental symposium on African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC) on day, Mr Simbwachawene called on African countries to adopt innovative approaches in the fight against graft.
The minister singled out the potential of science and technology in tackling corruption.
“It is crucial to employ innovative strategies to pin down those involved in the practice,” he counselled.
According to Mr Simbachawene, Information and communications technology (ICT) has become a very useful tool for fighting corruption.
“Technology can be used to provide a platform for sharing information on cases of corruption, which can raise awareness of these cases and may act as a deterrent,” he observed.
Likewise, the minister told the delegates who are meeting Arusha that corruption had a severe impact on the welfare of communities, saying it increases inequality, decreases popular accountability and political responsiveness.
“Corruption evolves as humans and lifestyles change, and thus, we need to incorporate technology in our efforts to combat it,” he said.
He stressed the need for transparent discussions and consultations during the symposium, including the consideration of relevant legislation.
However, the minister further highlighted the significance of the symposium in assessing the progress made in the fight against corruption in Africa during the 20 years since the AUCPCC’s establishment.
For his part, the Director General of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) Salum Hamduni, emphasised that the platform will serve as an avenue for sharing experiences and formulating robust strategies to combat corruption.
He said: “This symposium provides an opportunity for heads of anti-corruption institutions in Africa to learn from one another’s experiences and strengthen our strategies.”
Various topics were discussed by the participants at the symposium, which climaxes today, including the experiences of anti-corruption institutions in Africa over the past 20 years, asset recovery related to corruption and its offshoots.
Additionally, the discussions covered experiences of member countries regarding corruption in the education sector, evidence-based research on prevention and combating strategies and the evaluation of international institutions and development partners’ contributions to the implementation of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.
President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to grace the climax of the Anti-Corruption Day celebrations in Africa today.
The African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption was adopted during the Second Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union in Mozambique on July 11, 2003.
The Convention came into effect on August 5, 2006, following the deposit of the fifteenth instruments of ratification.
Currently, 48 countries have ratified the Convention and are recognised as States Parties to it.
Opening the event on Sunday, Zanzibar Second Vice-President, Hemed Suleiman Abdulla urged African countries to embrace innovative approaches in fighting graft on the continent.
Mr Abdulla also urged African countries to step up efforts in the fight against corruption.
“The fight against graft must continue as it continues to be an evil and a hurdle to development in Africa,” observed the Zanzibar Second Vice-President.
Mr Abdulla rallied governments and Civil Society Organisations to play their part in rooting out corruption in the society, noting that the practice remains a significant obstacle to justice and development across all sectors.
“I implore you, my brothers and sisters, to provide information on corruption because its repercussions are immense to our nations,” he emphasised.
The second Vice-President further assured delegates participating at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) that Tanzania, as a committed member of the African Union, was determined to eradicate corruption.
Over 600 participants from various sectors will take part in the climax of the Anti-Corruption Day celebrations in Africa which is scheduled for today.
