Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Times News
Published on 2024-04-16 08:05:21
Youth and Society (YAS), a youth-based organization, has raised concerns about the increasing levels of corruption in the country, stating that serious and organized corruption is detrimental to the future of the youth. In an interview with the Sunday Times, YAS Executive Director Charles Kajoloweka highlighted that corruption deprives young people of opportunities for growth and development, hindering their ability to succeed in life.
Kajoloweka emphasized that corruption has a significant impact on the youth by limiting their access to essential socio-economic development such as education, employment, and healthcare. Funds that should be allocated to these areas are often siphoned off by corrupt officials, making it challenging for young people to access quality opportunities for development. This perpetuates a cycle of poverty and inequality, ultimately hindering the youth from achieving success in life. Therefore, combating corruption is critical for the country to create a fair and just environment for its youth.
Furthermore, Kajoloweka stressed the importance of fighting corruption to promote good governance, ensure accountability, and foster sustainable development. He proposed allocating resources to support the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACs) and strengthening governance and law enforcement agencies to effectively combat organized corruption. Transparency, accountability, and integrity in public institutions must be prioritized to rebuild public trust and confidence. Additionally, providing adequate resources to key governance and law enforcement agencies is essential to enhance their capacity to investigate and prosecute corruption cases.
In the 2024/25 national budget, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) was allocated K8.691 billion, falling short of the K10.833 billion requested by the bureau, representing a 20 percent deficit. ACB Director General Martha Chizuma informed a parliamentary committee cluster that the shortfall could impact the bureau’s performance in the coming year. Despite resource constraints, Chizuma affirmed the bureau’s determination to continue the fight against corruption.
Chizuma highlighted the need for collective responsibility in combating corruption, stating that every citizen, from the president to the ordinary individual, must prioritize ethical behavior. In the 2023/24 national budget, the bureau received an allocation of K7.29 billion.
Overall, addressing corruption is crucial for creating a conducive environment for the youth to thrive and succeed. By prioritizing transparency, accountability, and integrity, the country can work towards combating corruption, promoting good governance, and fostering sustainable development for the benefit of all its citizens.
Read the original article on The Times
