AFRICA’S CORRUPTION FIGHT
By Paul Ndiho
Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2023 paints a complex picture of Africa’s battle against corruption.
Despite some African nations making strides, the overall scenario remains grim, with the average regional corruption score at 33 out of 100. This indicates that corruption is still a significant issue, with 90% of Sub-Saharan African countries scoring below 50%. At a recent event hosted in Washington, DC, by James Madison University on accountability in African Public Policy and Administration, experts weighed in on what needs to be done to stem corruption.
Experts like Dr. Sombo Muzata from JMU argued that combating corruption requires a comprehensive approach by building strong institutions that promote accountability.
“We can have anti-corruption agencies, finance intelligence units, drug enforcement commissions, and the police. All those institutions hold individuals accountable for what they do.”
The report points to countries like Seychelles, Cabo Verde, and Botswana as examples of success, achieving CPI scores of 71, 64, and 59, respectively. The report also reveals that Equatorial Guinea, South Sudan, and Somalia are lagging near the bottom of the CPI index in dealing with corruption issues, with scores of 172, 177, and 180, respectively.
“If we get to the point where we can prosecute cases and put people where they are supposed to be and jailed, let’s do that so it can be a deterrent for whoever wants to do that practice. We need to be strict with implementing the rules and regulations around corruption.”
Jay Albanese from Virginia Commonwealth University emphasizes the need for more accountability.
“We need greater accountability, especially for people in public life, government, and businesses who make unethical decisions. Unethical decisions become corrupt because corruption becomes codified into law, but no corrupt decision is ethical.”
Africa’s struggle against corruption also poses risks to its democratic processes. Countries with lower CPI scores, including Mali, Guinea, Niger, and Gabon, face democratic tension underscored by a series of unconstitutional changes in governance.
This underscores the urgency of Africa’s fight against corruption, which demands solid institutions and enforcement and a societal shift towards greater accountability and ethical governance to safeguard the continent’s future.
Ndiho Media,LLC. 