Whether it’s the nurse asking for “something small” or the bumpy road that turns a simple trip to the market into a daily struggle, Ghanaians are speaking frankly about the issues that shape their lives.
A new national survey released in Accra shows bribery is falling, but citizens still want government to fix basic services and build a fairer, more transparent system.
The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) on Tuesday marked African Statistics Day with the release of the Governance Series Wave 2 Report, a nationwide study that captures how citizens experience corruption, public service delivery and inclusion in decision-making.
Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, who presented the findings, said the data offers a clear picture of everyday realities that often go unnoticed in policy discussions.
“Statistics are the backbone of development,” Dr. Iddrisu stated, noting that modern data systems now allow Ghana to measure issues previously understood only through assumptions.
The latest wave of the survey, conducted between July 28 and August 20 using the 2021 Census sampling frame, covers citizens’ experiences from January to June 2025 and provides a direct comparison with findings from 2024.
Bribery Drops Overall but Repeat Payments Spike
One of the headline findings is that overall bribery has declined, falling from 18.4% to 14.3%. But the picture is far from simple.
The share of people who said they paid bribes five times or more surged from 6.9% to 24%, suggesting that while fewer Ghanaians are paying bribes, those who do are being targeted repeatedly.
Direct demands for bribes by public officials declined significantly from 51.3% to 38.6%. However, voluntary “gifts” almost doubled , signalling a shift where citizens increasingly offer tokens unprompted, possibly out of fear, social pressure or habit.
Money remains the most common form of payment, with over half of respondents giving 100 cedis or less.
Reporting of bribery incidents fell across both formal and informal channels, raising concerns about confidence in enforcement. The Motor Traffic and Transport Department, while still the institution most associated with bribery, saw its share drop from 61% to 51.9%.
More Ghanaians Feel Their Voices Matter
The survey’s most encouraging outcome is a rise in civic confidence.
- Citizens who believe they have a voice in national decision-making increased from 54.8% to 68.4%.
- Those who felt completely excluded fell from 42.4% to 29.2%.
Youths, older adults and persons with difficulty performing activities all recorded significant improvements, although disparities remain. The North East, Upper East and Northern Regions continue to report the highest levels of exclusion.
Roads, Utilities and Jobs Top National Priorities
When asked what they most want government to address in the next six months, the answers were consistent nationwide:
- Better infrastructure and public services – 52.6%
Citizens emphasised the need for reliable roads, water, electricity, health facilities and schools. - Economic stability, jobs and business support – 25.9%
Many respondents linked rising costs and unemployment to growing frustrations in their communities.
“These two expectations alone account for nearly 80 percent of all responses,” Dr. Iddrisu said, adding that the data mirrors widespread concerns about regional disparities and service delivery gaps.
A Roadmap for Fairness and Accountability
Dr. Iddrisu outlined five policy priorities government should consider urgently:
- Strengthening accountability within public institutions
- Expanding civic engagement
- Promoting transparency across sectors
- Targeting support to regions with high exclusion
- Using digital tools to modernise governance
He stressed that the Governance Series is “not just a report but a roadmap” to guide Ghana’s efforts toward achieving SDG 16 — Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
The study was produced with support from CHRAJ, the German Development Cooperation’s PAIRed programme, GACC, Transparency International Ghana, ACEPA, the Hewlett Foundation, CDD-Ghana and other partners.
Closing the ceremony, the Government Statistician said Ghana’s growing investment in data innovation must lead to visible improvements in citizens’ lives. “Reliable data gives us the confidence to act, the courage to reform, and the clarity to hold institutions accountable,” he said.
