Thirty-two students from technical and vocational schools in Cocody and Yopougon, Abidjan, recently participated in an institutional immersion visit to the High Authority for Good Governance (HABG). The visit, organized with the support of the NGO Emergelead, aimed to educate the students on the importance of integrity and good governance. The students, accompanied by their teachers and members of Emergelead, interacted with officials from the HABG to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms in place to prevent and combat corruption.
The Director of Sensitization at HABG, Jacques III Achiaou, emphasized the significance of this immersion in the civic education of the students. He stressed that it is essential to explain the concepts of corruption and good governance concretely, highlighting the mechanisms, stakes, and consequences. The students were introduced to notions such as ethics, integrity, accountability, and patrimony management. They were also reminded that public property is a common heritage that must benefit the entire community.
Achiaou warned the students about the dangers of corrupt practices, such as diverting public resources for personal gain. He encouraged them to speak up and ask questions, emphasizing that no inquiry is insignificant. The goal was to enable the students to leave with a better understanding of the HABG's missions and the behaviors to adopt in the face of corruption. This educational approach aligns with the institution's vision of promoting integrity and good governance.
The HABG regularly hosts students, university students, and civil society organizations as part of its sensitization, education, and training activities. According to a HABG official, educating young people is a crucial aspect of their action. The aim is to provide them with guidelines to develop behaviors that conform to the principles of ethics and integrity in their academic, professional, and personal lives.
Mouni Tchriffo, founder of Emergelead, stated that this visit gave concrete dimension to the work done in schools over several years. Her organization supports students in learning leadership, ethics, and integrity through various pedagogical activities. She emphasized that integrity is essential for development and that it is crucial to start at the base. Tchriffo praised the quality of the exchanges organized at the HABG.
Beyond the visit, the program aims to make the students "Champions of Integrity," tasked with sharing their knowledge with their peers. Each school is encouraged to organize at least two restitution activities, targeting indirectly between 300 and 500 other students. The students will produce and disseminate testimonies, messages, and awareness-raising materials to prolong the impact of the visit.
Through this initiative, Emergelead and HABG aim to promote integrity in a sustainable dynamic in the school environment. The goal is to train young people who will make honesty, responsibility, and respect for the common good principles of conduct in their personal lives and future roles in society. The program seeks to contribute to the fight against corruption by educating the next generation of citizens.
Key points
- The HABG and Emergelead partnered to educate 32 students on integrity and good governance.
- The program aims to make the students "Champions of Integrity" who will share their knowledge with their peers.
- The initiative seeks to promote integrity and good governance in the school environment.
