Ghana’s fight against corruption has suffered a setback over the past five years, with the country ranking 80th out of 180 nations in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International.

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The report, presented by the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), revealed that Ghana scored 42 out of a possible 100 in the 2024 index, marking a decline from 43 in the previous year and reinforcing concerns about the country’s ability to combat corruption effectively.

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“Ghana’s performance remains below the average threshold of 50, a score indicating serious corruption concerns,” the report stated. Since 2015, Ghana has lost five points on the CPI, reflecting persistent governance challenges despite policy interventions and institutional reforms. The findings suggest that existing legal, policy, and administrative frameworks require urgent review and strengthening.

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Among 49 Sub-Saharan African nations included in the index, Ghana placed 11th, tying with Albania. However, the country lagged behind regional leaders such as Seychelles, which scored 72, Cabo Verde with 62, Botswana and Rwanda with 57 each, and Mauritius with 51. It fared better than Burkina Faso, South Africa, and Tanzania, each of which recorded a score of 41.

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The report also noted that the Sub-Saharan African region continues to register the lowest average score globally, standing at just 33 out of 100, with 90 percent of countries in the region failing to reach the 50-point mark.

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Highlighting broader global trends, Transparency International observed that over two-thirds of countries worldwide scored below 50, underscoring deep-rooted corruption issues in the public sector. The global average remains at 43, showing little progress over the past decade. François Valérian, Chair of Transparency International, warned that corruption is not only an obstacle to development but also a major driver of democratic decline, instability, and human rights violations.

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“The international community and every nation must make tackling corruption a top and long-term priority,” he stated. “The dangerous trends revealed in this year’s Corruption Perception Index highlight the need to follow through with concrete action now to address global corruption.”

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This year’s CPI also draws attention to the link between corruption and the climate crisis. The report pointed out that corruption weakens climate policies by diverting crucial resources meant for environmental protection.

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It also noted that in many countries, high levels of corruption contribute to weaker enforcement of environmental laws, leaving land and environmental defenders vulnerable to attacks. Since 2019, Global Witness has documented over 1,000 murders of environmental defenders, with nearly all occurring in countries that scored below 50 on the CPI.

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In Ghana, corruption remains a major concern, particularly in the mining sector. The report referenced the recent attack on three journalists from the Multimedia Group, including Erastus Asare Donkor, by armed men allegedly linked to Edelmetallum Resources Limited, a mining firm in the Ashanti Region. The incident highlights the dangers faced by journalists and the broader implications of corruption in natural resource management.

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The GII has recommended a series of urgent reforms to reverse Ghana’s declining anti-corruption performance. It urged Parliament to strengthen its financial oversight responsibilities by enhancing the powers of the Public Accounts Committee and establishing a Budget and Fiscal Analysis Department.

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It called on the Judiciary to set up a specialized anti-corruption court to expedite corruption-related cases, similar to the model in Tanzania, which has seen significant progress in prosecuting corrupt officials.

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The report further recommended that the Executive depoliticize the civil and public services by instituting a merit-based appointment system overseen by an independent commission to minimize politically motivated appointments. It stressed the need for stronger legal protections for whistleblowers and journalists, ensuring a safer environment for those exposing corruption. Additionally, it called for the passage of the Conduct of Public Officers’ Bill and the Internal Audit Agency Bill to enhance asset declaration, curb conflict of interest, and empower authorities to conduct lifestyle audits.

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On the issue of climate finance, the report urged government agencies to develop standardized systems for tracking climate funds, expenditures, and outcomes. It also called for a review of political party financing laws to minimize undue influence on governance.

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Despite the grim assessment, the report highlighted examples of African nations making progress in the fight against corruption. Tanzania, for instance, has gained 10 points on the CPI since 2014, largely due to efforts to hold corrupt officials accountable. High-level public officials suspected of corruption are swiftly removed from office, and a specialized court has been set up to handle economic crimes.

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Ghana’s performance, however, suggests that more decisive action is needed to curb corruption and restore public confidence in governance. Transparency International and the Ghana Integrity Initiative stress that without urgent reforms, the country risks further decline on the global corruption index, with broader implications for democracy, development, and social stability.

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