Ghana has seen a marginal decline in corruption, ranking 43 out of 100 in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index.

This was contained in a report shared by Transparency International on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. According to the report, out of the 182 nations assessed, Ghana ranked 76th globally, but this, according to experts, indicates little to no improvement in Ghana’s fight against corruption.

The 43% marks a one-point increase from the 42 recorded in 2024. However, according to the organisation's methodology, this does not constitute a significant change.

The organisation’s Board Chair, François Valérian, highlighted the need for local and international collaboration in tackling corruption.

"In an interconnected world, we need both national action and multilateral cooperation to protect the public interest and tackle shared challenges like corruption. At a time when we're seeing a dangerous disregard for international norms from some states, we need to protect a rules-based global order that is grounded in transparency, accountability to citizens and respect for human rights," he said.

Ghana has remained stuck at a CPI score of 43 since 2020, except for the dip to 42 last year. The country's highest score was 48 in 2014, after which it experienced a downward trajectory until 2018.

The assessment comes at a time when many still raise concerns about Ghana’s politicised judicial system and law enforcement agencies.

The dismissal of the former Chief Justice, petitions for the removal of heads of independent institutions, and the discontinuation of corruption cases through a controversial 60:40 settlement arrangement have raised questions about executive interference.

The “60:40 corruption case settlement arrangement” in Ghana refers to a controversial practice where corruption-related prosecutions were reportedly discontinued if the accused agreed to return 60% of the misappropriated funds while retaining 40%.

This has created a decline in confidence in the government and the judicial system following a well-sold launch of Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL).

Despite efforts by the Office of the Special Prosecutor to increase transparency in corruption investigations and prosecutions, the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Transparency International's local chapter, says these measures have not made a significant impact.

Global and regional contextThe report shows that corruption is increasing on a global scale, as countries that were ranked as having

Globally, corruption is worsening even in mature democracies. The report indicates that about 12 countries that used to score over 80% over a decade ago have now seen a decline to just five countries this year, with the global average standing at 42 out of 100.

Sub-Saharan Africa continues to rank lowest on the index with an average score of 32 out of 100. Ten of the region's 49 countries have significantly deteriorated since 2012, while only seven have improved.

To improve in the fight against corruption, Transparency International (TI)-Ghana has recommended expedite process be adopted to create anti-corruption courts, ensure the utmost independence of the Judicial system, free from Executive or Legislative interference, as well as expeditiously adopt the National Ethics and Anti-Corruption Plan (NEACAP).

TI also recommends that Parliament ensure the swift passage of the Community Tribunal Bill, review rules regulating political financial regulations and protect civic space and media freedom.

The Community Tribunal Bill was part of Ghana’s judicial framework that established local tribunals for minor cases. These were later abolished in 2002 and replaced with District Courts, as part of reforms to strengthen and streamline the justice system.

Other recommendations include cultural reorientation focused on ethics, promoting transparency in state regulatory agencies, and strengthening awareness among Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions of their anti-money laundering obligations.

TI-Ghana stressed that the CPI serves as a warning signal, not a verdict, adding that defensive responses will not change perceptions.

"With sustained political will and measurable reforms, Ghana can rebuild public trust and improve its anti-corruption outcomes over time," the organisation stated.

Meanwhile, a total of 280 corruption and corruption-related cases are currently under investigation, according to the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.

He disclosed this during an interview on JoyNews on Monday, January 26, explaining that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) introduced Operation Uncover All Roots (ORAL) as a key initiative to promote accountability among public office holders.

“The NDC tabled Operation Uncover All Roots as a proposition to the people as a main tool through which we will ensure that accountability is demanded from public office holders,” he said.

According to him, since the government took office, significant steps have been taken to act on allegations of corruption. He disclosed that the Oral Preparatory Committee compiled information on 280 alleged cases and submitted a report to the Attorney General.

“They presented a report with the 280 cases, and I can tell you that the Attorney General has commissioned investigations into each of them,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu stated.

However, he said that the report itself could not be used to prosecute anyone without proper investigations.

“The report itself could not have formed the basis for any legal action against anybody because they were just reports. I cannot simply say that because you have said something, then I hold someone and throw him into jail. It would not make sense.”

Assessing Ghana’s fight against corruption, he said the scale of waste and abuse of public resources under the previous administration made a change in government unavoidable. “I think that it was obvious that there was simply too much waste, corruption, and theft of public resources,” he said.

“You in the media were the ones who used to bombard us with corruption scandal after corruption scandal, and it got to a point where we simply became fatigued and came to the conclusion that there was a need to change government.”

Mr Kwakye Ofosu revealed that progress has already been made on several of the cases. “I can tell you that more than 100 people have been held for questioning. Some have been arrested. Some were detained for some time. Some have been granted bail, and others, too, are in court,” he said.

He added that more than 20 cases have reached an advanced stage. “There are over 20 cases whose dockets are almost done and will be going to court. The Attorney General has already proceeded to court on a number of those cases,” he noted.

While acknowledging public impatience for quick results, the minister urged Ghanaians to respect due process.