International Anti-Corruption Day, observed on December 9 each year raises public awareness on the fight against corruption,

ways to fight it, and what people can do to lessen, if not help to eliminate, it from our socio-economic structures. Leading the war against corruption is the United Nations Office against Drugs and Crime which has provided the opportunity for the global community to address the weaknesses that bring about corruption and to enable governments to establish sets of benchmarks for effective anti-corruption strategies.

The history of corruption goes back to ancient times. Over two thousand years ago, Aristotle wrote, “To protect the treasury from being defrauded, let all money be distributed openly.” In recent decades, corruption has grown both in terms of geographic extent and intensity.

A complex social, political, and economic phenomenon, corruption affects all countries.

It undermines democratic institutions, slows economic development, and contributes to government instability. By attacking democratic institutions, corruption distorts electoral processes, and perverts the rule of law.

Like ignorance, corruption is a great enemy of development. Economic development is held back because foreign direct investments is discouraged and small businesses within the country often find it impossible to overcome the costs of corruption.

Corruption increases transaction costs and lowers efficiency among government employees; reduces the transparency of economic transactions both by state-owned and private sector firms; undercuts government’s ability to raise revenues; and hinders government’s capability to promote development and social justice. It can undermine a nation’s authority and may render a country ungovernable, leading to instability or chaos.

Some say that corruption is the world’s second eldest profession and may end up as being the last.

But corruption need not be a way of life. Recent international and national problems have shown that corruption can be separated into components which can be addressed. A vital tool in the fight against corruption is the enforcement of laws, strong political will. Once corruption is isolated, programs can be put in place that can identify where corruption exists in society, what it is costing citizens, and its impact on the economy.

As early as a decade ago, corruption was only whispered about. Today the signs of growing intolerance for corruption has seen more politicians and chief executives being tried and convicted.

The fight against corruption will not be an easy one and each of us has an important role to play in this campaign. Your NO counts.