On Wednesday, the Novotel Hôtel in Cotonou was the setting for an event of national importance: the workshop on new issues and challenges in the fight against corruption, organized by the National Assembly of Benin. In a studious and committed atmosphere, the Haut-Commissariat à la Prévention de la CorruptionHCPC) marked its presence with active participation and a strong message in favor of ethical and responsible governance.
Organized in conjunction with the meeting of the Board of Directors of the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC), the workshop brought together key players in the fight against corruption - parliamentarians, independent institutions, experts and representatives of civil society - around a common vision: a united front against a pernicious evil that is eating away at our societies.
Powerful communication from the HCPC
The highlight of the meeting was the brilliant presentation by Dr Olivier-Charles ATTINDEHOU, Secretary General of the HCPC, who shed technical and strategic light on the theme: " Missions, strategies and mechanisms of the Office of the High Commissioner for Corruption Prevention".
In it, he clearly outlined the legal foundations of the institution, created by law n°2020-09 of April 23, 2020, as well as the three major strategic axes that structure the HCPC 's action:
- Detecting and reporting risks through alert mechanisms, risk mapping and transparency;
- Educate and raise awareness citizens and public officials to the culture of integrity ;
- Deterring and punishing by supporting the repression of acts of corruption and the introduction of exemplary sanctions.
The Secretary General also presented the four complementary prevention approaches implemented by the HCPC : compliance, risk management, citizen participation, and the promotion of ethical values in public management.
A high-level panel and an exceptionally rich debate
At the end of the presentations, an interactive and highly enriching panel discussion, masterfully led by the Honorable Orden ALLADATIN, provided an opportunity to compare approaches, respond to participants' concerns and propose concrete avenues for strengthening the impact of anti-corruption actions. Moderated with rigor, the general debate encouraged a diversity of viewpoints, in a spirit of transparency and mutual listening.
A clear and assertive political commitment
The presence of the High Commissioner for Corruption Prevention, alongside the President of the National Assembly, reinforced the political and institutional significance of this meeting. In a firm and committed statement, the High Commissioner reaffirmed the HCPC 's unwavering determination to act with rigor and determination to ensure the adoption of appropriate measures capable of putting an end to this malignant and mischievous evil which is holding back Benin's development.
" Corruption cannot be fought by halves. It requires a united front, constant vigilance and courageous reforms. The HCPC will play its full part in this battle for transparency and probity ", he insisted.
A collective dynamic to be consolidated
The workshop also provided an opportunity to explore ways of strengthening inter-institutional cooperation, through the exchange of experience, the complementarity of systems and the mobilization of digital tools in the service of transparency. Strong recommendations were formulated to intensify efforts, particularly in the fields of civic education, whistleblower protection, digitization of public services and managerial accountability.
A step towards healthier governance
At the end of this workshop, one conviction became clear: the fight against corruption cannot succeed without a collective, constant and structured will. By standing shoulder to shoulder with Parliament, the HCPC is sending out a strong signal: impunity will recede where institutions move forward together, with coherence and courage.
July 23, 2025 will be remembered as a key date in the fight for a fairer Benin, where public ethics are no longer an option, but a requirement.