Announcement

Anti-corruption Study Tour to Singapore Inspires Afghanistan’s High Office of Oversight

Afghan officials resolve to combat corruption.

Kabul, Afghanistan  | Saturday, August 15, 2009

Photo: USAID/Afghanistan

The Afghan delegation at the Civil Service College in Singapore.

Corruption remains one of Afghanistan’s major obstacles to stability and sustainable development.  In July 2008, President Karzai established the High Office of Oversight (HoO) to develop and implement an integrated anti-corruption strategy.  This summer, senior officials from the HoO and other government agencies attended an anti-corruption training at the Singapore Civil Service College.  As one of the foremost and advanced corruption-fighting governments in the world, Singapore provided the delegation with the tools to combat corruption in Afghanistan.

While some members of the delegation were skeptical that such anti-corruption success could be realized in Afghanistan, they soon learned that just 40 years ago, Singapore suffered from one of the highest levels of corruption in the world.  As the interactive training and visits to Singapore anti-corruption agencies continued, the HoO delegation realized that, with dedication and hard work, Afghanistan could join the ranks of Singapore.  One delegate commented, “I am very inspired to make changes in Afghanistan,” while another remarked, “We have much to do and I am sure that we can do it; this training has opened my eyes.”