Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts have shown zero improvement for the fourth consecutive year, according to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023 released today by Transparency International (TI).

The country scored 43 out of a possible 100, ranking 70th out of 180 countries and territories assessed. The report reveals a concerning stagnation in Ghana’s fight against corruption, raising questions about the country’s ability to implement necessary reforms in the coming year.

Ghana’s CPI score of 43 places it 8th out of 49 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries included in the index, alongside Benin and Senegal. While outperforming several Sub-Saharan African nations, including Burkina Faso, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, and Lesotho, Ghana lags behind top performers such as Mauritius, Namibia, and Sao Tome and Principe.

Transparency International’s assessment indicates a mixed picture for Africa, with some nations making progress, but the majority continuing to perform poorly, maintaining the region’s low average score of 33 out of 100.

The Corruption Perception Index 2023 which is under the theme, ‘Corruption and Justice’ underscored the global trend of deteriorating justice systems, reducing accountability for public officials and facilitating corruption.

Ghana’s stagnant score according to the Ghana Integrity Initiative, the local chapter of the Transparency International aligns with the Rule of Law Index produced by the World Justice Project, revealing a decline in the country’s rule of law from 2015 to 2023.

François Valérian, the Transparency International Board Chairman, in the release of the report emphasized the vital link between corruption and justice, stating, that ‘corruption will continue to thrive until justice systems can punish wrongdoing and keep governments in check’.

“When justice is bought or politically interfered with, it is the people who suffer. Leaders should fully invest in and guarantee the independence of institutions that uphold the law and tackle corruption. It is time to end impunity for corruption.”
François Valérian

According to François Valérian, the Rule of Law Index shows that the world is experiencing a decline in the functioning of justice systems with countries with the lowest scores in this index also scoring very low on the CPI, highlighting a clear correlation between access to justice and corruption

Recommendations For Reforms

The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) offering recommendations to address the menace of corruption in the country urged the Executive arm of government to immediately present the Conduct of Public Officers’ Bill in parliament, emphasizing asset declaration verification and severe sanctions for non-compliance. The Ghana Integrity Initiative also called on the Legislature to pass the bill immediately it is lay before Parliament.

To bridge legal gaps, the Ghana Integrity Initiative also urged the government to ensure the prosecution of corruption cases outside the current legal framework, incorporating anti-corruption frameworks like unexplained wealth, influence peddling, and aspects of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).

Moreover, the Ghana Integrity Initiative advocated for the allocation of resources and transparency within the justice system to effectively punish corruption offenses, introducing necessary procedures and laws to shield institutions from corruption.

According to the anti-corruption institution, reforms should address laws inhibiting media investigation and reporting, including defamation and libel cases.

The Ghana Integrity Initiative further urged the Judicial Service to institute limited immunity for judges in judicial duties while excluding immunity in corruption or criminal cases.

The Ghana Integrity Initiative also urged the government to expand and strengthen the Public Relations and Complaint Unit (PRCU) of the Judicial Services to facilitate a confidential whistleblower policy, involving various stakeholders like lawyers, court users, prosecutors, police, media, and civil society.

The Corruption Perception Index 2023 findings according to the Ghana Integrity Initiative underscored the urgency for Ghana to address the stagnation in its anti-corruption efforts.

The statement released by the Ghana Integrity Initiative indicated that the recommendations provided by the ant graft institution aim to guide the government and legislative bodies in implementing crucial reforms to combat corruption effectively and restore public trust in the justice system.