C ommo nwe a l t h A f r i c a A n t i -C o r r u p t i o n C e n t r e , i t s r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s a n d p r o s p e c t s design document and strategic plan have been developed. The training plan outlines type of course, course objectives, target group, collaborating partners, duration and cost. Professional action learning programmes in corruption monitoring, evaluation and assessment, and investigation and prevention were delivered within the period. Partner organisations pulled together for the programme included: UNDP; UNODC; Deloitte (South Africa); Botswana’s Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crimes; AusAid; and University of Zambia. The aim of the programme was to build an M&E capacity within ACAs in Commonwealth Africa to effectively measure and assess corruption and the impact of anti-corruption initiatives to inform effective policy making at these agencies. Many ACAs recently indicated their intention to establish new units to perform measurement and assessment duties and therefore requested the centre to train their staff to form the core mass for the M&E units to be created in the agencies. Beyond these initial pilot programmes the comprehensive training plan is being implemented. It is expected that the centre will transform the existing community of ACAs in Commonwealth Africa into a vibrant network providing active exchanges on best-fit practices and sharing solutions to common problems. The centre will provide training, research and political initiatives for all African Commonwealth countries in areas such as investigations, public education and prevention, forensics, prosecution and asset tracking. Partnerships The centre has the potential to grow beyond Africa because the Commonwealth family has much to learn and share with each other. The centre, since its launch, has attracted and received enquiries and interests of collaboration from international development partners and stakeholder organisations. A development partners and stakeholders’ conference was organised in Gaborone, Botswana, to provide opportunity for international development partners and other stakeholders to discuss their collaboration with the centre. Such collaboration presented a vast scope for local and international institutions to complement the centre’s resources in assisting member countries in their effort to reduce corruption. Over 30 participants from international organisations, development partners and other stakeholders attended the conference. The conference was very successful in meeting its objectives. The international organisations indicated areas (such as research, training, help desk, etc.) on which they would like to collaborate with the centre. Notable international organisations who pledged collaboration with the centre included the World Bank, UNODC, Transparency International, UNDP, Basel Institute of Governance, Institute of Security Studies and the University of Pretoria, among many others. Rooting out corruption The centre’s strength, in part, is the fact that the Association of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa is a forum consisting of the heads of these agencies. The operations of the centre are initiatives shared by the heads and take place with their direct involvement and interest. This personal buy-in greatly enhances the shared commitment and sense of ownership. The centre provides a one-stop-shop for reaching out to all the African Commonwealth ACAs – as such, doing business with the centre means doing business with all the ACAs in Commonwealth Africa. Conclusion The priority agenda of combating corruption is in line with the mandate from the Commonwealth heads of government commitment to root out systemic corruption at both national and international levels. The Commonwealth Secretariat established the network of ACAs in Commonwealth Africa for South-South collaboration and learning. The network seeks to broker the exchange of ideas and good practices among African Commonwealth countries and to encourage the sharing of experience in areas of comparative advantage, general political buy-in processes and pressures for reforms. The CAACC has been established as the prime vehicle for improving co-ordination and strengthening the capacity of ACAs in Commonwealth Africa. The centre seeks to transform the ACAs into a vibrant network providing active exchanges on ‘best fit’ practices and sharing solutions to common problems. The active involvement of the heads of ACAs in the establishment of the centre and their ownership of the same is a sign that Africa and the wider Commonwealth are committed to rooting out corruption, demonstrating that it has the potential to grow beyond Africa, as the Commonwealth family has much to learn and share with each other. All the African Commonwealth countries have pledged to support the centre, which will provide a South-South exchange of ideas, technical skills and best practice to combat corruption. The Association of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa plays a vital role in developing programmes for the centre, including the sharing of technical expertise and policy advice, the provision of a help desk based at the Anti-Corruption Agency and specialist training in forensic investigation and asset tracing. The CAACC is a visible and tangible demonstration of the Commonwealth commitment to support its members’ anti-corruption efforts, with the potential for replication in Commonwealth countries across the world. Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2013/14 63 Roger Koranteng is adviser (Governance Thematic Sub-Programme Group), Governance and Institutional Development Division, Commonwealth Secretariat.
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