BudgiT Ghana Country Manager Urges Stronger Protection for Young Whistleblowers Amid Rising Public Apathy
Country Manager of BudgiT Ghana, Jennifer Moffat, has called for stronger safeguards to encourage whistleblowing among young people, stressing that civic reporting remains a critical tool in tackling corruption and illegal activities such as galamsey.
Speaking during the NorvanReports, Economic Governance Platform (EGP) and Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) X Space discussion on the theme “Whistleblowing Without Fear: Protecting Young Voices That Speak Truth to Power” on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, Ms. Moffat explained that whistleblowing, though often perceived as complex or foreign, is simply an act of reporting wrongdoing to the appropriate authorities.
Using the ongoing national fight against illegal mining as an example, she said citizens who witness galamsey activities and report them to established anti-galamsey units are essentially engaging in whistleblowing. She likened the concept to the familiar Ghanaian expression “chooking,” which refers to reporting misconduct to a figure of authority.
“In the layman’s conversation, when I think about whistleblowing, the first thing that should come to anybody’s mind is chooking,” she said, adding that the cultural reference is rooted in childhood experiences where siblings or classmates report wrongdoing to parents or teachers.
Ms. Moffat, however, emphasised that the broader issue extends beyond reporting. The critical concern, she noted, is ensuring the safety of individuals after they speak up. “Even if you go and chook, how safe are you after you do your chooking?” she asked, underscoring the need for protective mechanisms.
She expressed worry over growing apathy among young people, fuelled by recurring financial irregularities and procurement scandals highlighted at Public Accounts Committee sittings and by the Attorney General. These developments, she said, have contributed to a sense of disconnect among the youth, many of whom feel disillusioned by perceived systemic waste of public resources.
“A young person who may not even have a job sees huge monies being misappropriated. Over time, you get to a point where you say, ‘No matter what we do, they will do it anyway,’ so you stop caring,” she observed.
Despite the disconnection, Ms. Moffat acknowledged a rising wave of public awareness driven by increased media exposure of governance lapses. She urged citizens—young and old—to remain vigilant and actively involved in safeguarding the public interest.
“These are matters that should concern all responsible citizens. They are issues we should all keep an eye on,” she concluded.
