The celebration of the 7th African Anti-Corruption Day in Togo was marked by a conference-debate, on Tuesday, July 11, preceded the day before by a caravan to raise awareness against corruption across the main arteries of the city of Lomé. These events were organized by the High Authority for Preventing and Combating Corruption and Related Offences (HAPLUCIA

The 7th African Anti-Corruption Day is under the theme “African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (CUAPLCC), 20 years later: achievements and perspectives” this year. It is in this context that the members of HAPLUCIA, the representatives of the control bodies and the members of the consultation framework followed two communications: “Presentation of the achievements and perspectives of the CUAPLCC” presented by the director of prevention of HAPLUCIA, Talaki Atiyouwè and “Contribution of civil society to the implementation of the CUAPLCC in Togo” by Mr. Affalah Paul of Alternative Leadership Group.

One of the purposes of celebrating African Anti-Corruption Day is to raise awareness of this Pan-African Convention and to advocate with public authorities to urge them to fully implement it. The Pan-African Convention recommends the adoption of preventive measures, including the declaration of assets, codes of conduct in public and private administrations, the prevention of conflicts of interest, transparency in public finances, in public procurement and in the financing of political parties, accounting and control rules, judicial independence and access to information. It also requires member states to take measures relating to the submission of foreign companies to national legislation, to education and awareness-raising among the population, to respect for public affairs, their participation and that of the private sector, civil society and the media in the fight against corruption

The Convention requires States Parties to criminalize active and passive bribery in the public and private sectors, misappropriation of public property and funds, illicit enrichment, the laundering of the proceeds of corruption, secret commissions and all forms of corruption in international business transactions.

By ratifying the Continental Convention, the States and Parties have undertaken to set up, make operational or strengthen independent and specialized national agencies in the fight against corruption and to provide them with personnel trained and motivated to practice effectively its functions. The convention is built on four pillars that all states are trying to implement. These include prevention, criminalization (repression) and the promotion of cooperation, the establishment of effective anti-corruption institutions staffed by qualified personnel