For the fourth consecutive year, Ghana has received a score of zero in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023, as reported by Transparency International (TI) on January 30, 2024.
The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), the local chapter of Transparency International, highlighted that Ghana attained a score of 43 out of a possible 100, ranking 70th out of 180 countries and territories assessed. This marks a continued stagnation in Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts, according to the CPI.
Transparency International attributes Ghana’s lack of progress to the deteriorating justice system, which it argues diminishes the accountability of public officials, thus fostering an environment conducive to corruption.
Under the theme “Corruption and Justice” for the CPI 2023, Ghana’s persistent score plateau underscores a global trend of declining justice systems. Transparency International notes that this decline is contributing to the proliferation of corruption.
The connection is emphasized by Ghana’s performance in the Rule of Law Index produced by the World Justice Project. In 2015, Ghana scored 0.60 and ranked 34, but by 2023, its score dropped to 0.55, resulting in a decline in ranking to 61.
The GII recommends that Parliament take immediate action to introduce the Conduct of Public Officers’ Bill. This legislative measure should ensure that provisions related to asset declaration undergo verification and carry substantial sanctions for non-compliance.
The Executive branch is urged to promptly present the Conduct of Public Officers’ Bill in Parliament, emphasizing the need for verified asset declarations and severe consequences for non-compliance. Additionally, GII calls on the Legislature to prioritize the timely passage of this bill.
Both the Executive and the Legislature are urged to address legal gaps that hinder the prosecution of selected corruption cases, aiming to close these loopholes beyond the existing legal framework.
