Today marks the United Nations World Anti-Corruption Day.

World Anti-Corruption Day is a time for political leaders, governments, legal bodies and lobby groups around the world to work together against corruption by promoting the day to weed out corruption.

To mark the day, the Anti-corruption Watchdog Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) is requesting that all drivers to honk their horns at 12 midday for 5 seconds today to show your support in the fight against corruption. Corruption is prevalent in the country and is a hindrance to development.

In the 2009 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) launched by Transparency International which measures the perceived level of public-sector corruption in 180 countries around the world, Solomon Island's score dropped from 2.9 to 2.8 and ranked 111th compared to 109th in 2008.

The drop either indicated that public sector corruption in Solomon Islands has risen or other countries are becoming less corrupt thus pushing down Solomon Islands on the rank. Regardless, of the score and the ranking, it sends a clear message that corruption has continued to flourish in unexpected dimensions.
Solomon Islands faces a huge task if it is to improve on its current ranking according to the CPI measure.

Part of the solution is the identification of behaviour and actions that is judged to be corrupt, and clear understanding of opportunities that give rise to corrupt action, and knowing the best strategies to address them in a collaborative front.

TSI thanks the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands and the National Government for the partnership in recognising the need to tackle corruption. TSI urges leaders, executives, senior public servants, NGOs, civil society groups, churches and the public at large to actively engage in the fight against corruption. By doing this Solomon Islands CPI ranking should show improvement in the 2010 annual survey on corruption in the country.

Good citizens, lets all work together to fight, reduce and stop corruption in our country because corruption hurts everybody. If you think you cannot fight corruption, think again - honk your horns!

Source: Press Release (Transparency Solomon Islands)