Ghana’s fight against corruption remains a pressing national concern as the country loses an estimated $3 billion annually to graft, far exceeding the less than $2 billion in foreign direct investments (FDI) it attracts each year. This alarming trend, coupled with Ghana’s declining score on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), has reignited calls for stronger civil society oversight in governance.
Professor John Gatsi, Dean of the University of Cape Coast Business School, has challenged Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to intensify their watchdog role in holding government accountable. Speaking at a forum on the theme “DEEP DIVE – CSO Perspective in the fight against Corruption in Ghana”, he emphasized that Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts must go beyond rhetoric and be backed by concrete institutional reforms.
“The latest CPI results show that Ghana retrogressed in 2024, scoring 42 out of a clean 100, dropping to 80th out of 180 countries. This is a decline from the previous score of 43 in 2023. Ghana’s performance over the years has remained below the global average of 50, which is a worrying sign,” he stated.
The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), in a soon-to-be-published 2024 State of Corruption Report, has echoed similar concerns, highlighting the persistent challenges in governance and accountability. Findings from Afrobarometer’s Round 10 Survey further reinforce this concern, with 74% of Ghanaians believing corruption worsened in 2023, including 63% who said it increased significantly.
Public Institutions Under Scrutiny
A major concern raised in governance discussions is the growing perception of corruption among key public institutions. According to the Afrobarometer survey, Ghanaians view the police, the Presidency, tax officials, and Members of Parliament (MPs) as among the most corrupt institutions.
- 63% of respondents believe that “most” or “all” police officials are corrupt.
- 54% associate corruption with the Presidency, raising concerns about executive accountability.
- 53% believe tax officials are corrupt, affecting revenue mobilization.
- 51% say MPs are corrupt, undermining trust in legislative oversight.
These figures, Professor Gatsi noted, serve as “critical feedback for any government that claims to prioritize the fight against corruption.” He added that President John Dramani Mahama’s new administration now faces heightened expectations to deliver on his inaugural speech promise of making ‘accountability and the fight against corruption’ a top priority.
Government’s Promises vs. Reality
The 2025 Budget has signaled renewed efforts at fiscal discipline, with commitments to strengthening the Public Financial Management Act (PFMA), improving procurement processes, and enhancing transparency in public spending. However, CSOs remain cautious, emphasizing that past promises of accountability have not always translated into action.
“The government must go beyond commitments and ensure strict adherence to procurement laws, transparent use of public resources, and genuine accountability mechanisms. Without this, public trust will continue to erode,” Prof. Gatsi warned.
The Role of Civil Society in the Fight Against Corruption
CSOs have been at the forefront of Ghana’s anti-corruption movement, pushing for legal and institutional reforms while holding leaders accountable. Their contributions include:
- Advocacy against the Agyapa Royalties deal, which raised concerns over potential corruption risks.
- Public pressure against illegal mining (‘galamsey’), which has fueled environmental degradation and illicit financial flows.
- Investigations into state land sales, procurement irregularities, and political financing laws.
According to Prof. Gatsi, CSOs must step up their efforts by increasing citizen engagement, strengthening public sector oversight, and mobilizing resources for sustained advocacy. He acknowledged that the civic space must be protected to allow for effective CSO operations, calling for “a stronger partnership between government, CSOs, and state institutions.”
The Need for Sustainable CSO Support
While CSOs have played a crucial role in governance, challenges such as funding constraints and political interference threaten their effectiveness. Prof. Gatsi stressed that for CSOs to remain independent and impactful, they need reliable and sustainable funding models.
“Active citizenship and strong civil society participation are fundamental in holding the government accountable. The fight against corruption is not the government’s burden alone; it is a collective national responsibility,” he said.
As Ghana seeks to strengthen its governance framework, the onus is on both government and civil society to move beyond discussions and ensure that policies translate into real impact. With Ghana losing billions to corruption each year, the urgency for action has never been greater.
