Omanghana
The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition has released the third edition of its flagship State of Corruption Report, offering a detailed assessment of Ghana’s efforts to combat corruption and strengthen transparency, accountability and good governance.
The publication reviews developments recorded between January and December 2025. It identifies areas of progress while highlighting persistent weaknesses within the country’s anti-corruption framework.
The report is intended to support policymakers, accountability institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, researchers, journalists and citizens working to promote integrity in public life.
Report Draws on Major Governance Indicators
GACC’s assessment combines information from several recognized national and international sources.
These include Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, Afrobarometer surveys, Auditor-General’s reports and the Ibrahim Index of African Governance.
Information from state accountability institutions, civil society organizations and media reports was also used to evaluate Ghana’s anti-corruption performance.
By combining public perceptions with audit findings and institutional records, the report provides a broad picture of corruption risks and the effectiveness of measures introduced to address them.
Accountability Institutions Record Progress
The report examines the work of state institutions responsible for preventing, investigating and prosecuting corruption.
According to GACC, these institutions made some progress in 2025 through investigations, prosecutions, public education, audits, asset seizures and the recovery of public funds.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor was identified as one of the key institutions in the country’s anti-corruption efforts.
The report states that the OSP initiated 71 investigations and secured seven convictions during the year. It also reported approximately GH¢5.73 billion in financial savings, recoveries of GH¢6.5 million and US$2 million, and the seizure of assets valued at more than GH¢102 million.
These outcomes demonstrate the potential of properly resourced accountability institutions to protect public funds and enforce anti-corruption laws.
Enforcement and Funding Challenges Persist
Despite the progress, GACC found that Ghana’s fight against corruption continues to face serious obstacles.
Weak enforcement, limited implementation of recommendations, insufficient political commitment and inadequate funding were identified as some of the major challenges affecting accountability bodies.
The report indicates that exposing financial irregularities does not automatically result in sanctions, prosecutions or the recovery of losses.
GACC therefore called for stronger follow-up on audit findings and greater institutional independence to ensure that anti-corruption bodies can perform their duties without political interference.
Predictable and sustainable funding was also identified as essential to improving investigations, public education, prosecution and asset recovery.
Public Procurement Remains a Major Focus
The report highlights public procurement as an important area requiring sustained scrutiny because of the significant amount of state resources spent through contracts.
GACC has been working with the Public Procurement Authority to build the capacity of public institutions, civil society organizations and journalists to use and monitor the Ghana Electronic Procurement System.
GHANEPS is designed to move procurement processes online, improve access to information and reduce opportunities for improper interference.
Greater use of the electronic system could make it easier to track tender notices, contract awards and procurement decisions. However, its effectiveness will depend on proper implementation, institutional compliance and continuous public monitoring.
Local Accountability Networks Support Community Oversight
The publication also recognizes the importance of Local Accountability Networks in encouraging citizen participation at the district and community levels.
LANets bring together residents, civil society representatives and local stakeholders to monitor public projects, demand information and engage duty-bearers on the use of state resources.
Such grassroots initiatives can help citizens identify abandoned projects, questionable procurement decisions and poor service delivery before the resulting losses become more serious.
GACC maintains that the fight against corruption cannot be left entirely to state institutions. Citizens, journalists, community groups and private organizations must also participate by demanding transparency and reporting suspected wrongdoing.
Recommendations Target Stronger Institutions
The 2025 State of Corruption Report proposes practical measures for improving Ghana’s anti-corruption system.
These include strengthening the independence and financial capacity of accountability institutions, enforcing existing laws and acting decisively on findings contained in Auditor-General’s reports.
The Coalition also advocates greater transparency in public procurement, stronger protection for whistleblowers and improved access to public information.
GACC believes that implementing these recommendations would help rebuild public confidence in state institutions and reduce the financial and social damage caused by corruption.
The complete 2025 State of Corruption Report is available through the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition.
Source: Omanghana
