Accra, Aug. 20, GNA – Corruption remains a significant threat to Ghana’s governance systems despite gains in investigations, convictions, asset recovery and public accountability in 2025, the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), has disclosed.
The Coalition made the observation in its 2025 State of Corruption Report, which reviewed corruption trends and anti-corruption interventions between January and December 2025.
The report said corruption remained entrenched in the public sector and governance structures despite intensified efforts by accountability institutions and civil society organisations to curb the menace.
It said anti-corruption agencies recorded notable successes, including savings of approximately GH¢5.73 billion, recovery of GH¢6.5 million and US$2 million, and seizure of assets valued at more than GH¢102 million.
The GACC, however, said the gains had not resulted in a significant reduction in corruption risks or a substantial improvement in public perceptions.
“Ghana’s governance systems remain vulnerable, and corruption continues to demonstrate resilience in the face of existing controls,” the report stated.
The third edition of the flagship publication drew on data from the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Afrobarometer surveys, Auditor-General’s reports, the Ibrahim Index of African Governance and other sources.
It assessed the performance of state accountability institutions, civil society organisations and the
media in promoting transparency, accountability and good governance.
The report described Ghana’s anti-corruption architecture as active and relatively well-established, with institutions mandated to prevent, detect, investigate and sanction corruption.
It highlighted the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), which initiated 71 investigations and secured seven convictions during the year under review.
The report said the OSP’s interventions, in addition to recovering cash and assets, prevented the loss of billions of cedis to the state.
The Ghana Audit Service also strengthened financial accountability through payroll and routine audits.
The report said the Service recovered about GH¢10 million out of GH¢150.36 million in unearned salaries, allowances and related irregular payments involving 2,408 separated public sector staff identified through a nationwide payroll audit.
A further GH¢14.95 million was recovered through routine audits conducted across the country.
Other institutions, including the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Attorney-General’s Department, the Judiciary, the Office of the President and the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), were credited with advancing investigations, policy reforms, ethics enforcement, anti-money laundering measures and public education initiatives.
The report also acknowledged the contribution of non-state actors, including GACC, Transparency International Ghana, the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and the Media Foundation for West Africa, through advocacy, public sensitisation, citizen engagement and investigative interventions.
It, however, identified persistent weaknesses limiting the impact of anti-corruption initiatives.
These included delays in legislative reforms, weak implementation of existing laws, inconsistent enforcement, funding constraints and inadequate political commitment to tackling corruption.
The report also noted that state and non-state institutions remained heavily dependent on donor support, raising concerns about the sustainability of anti-corruption programmes.
It said although awareness creation, investigations, capacity building and asset recovery improved in 2025, Ghana had yet to achieve a decisive shift in corruption trends or public confidence in accountability systems.
“The gains recorded have not yet translated into a decisive reduction in corruption risks or a significant shift in public perception,” it stated.
GACC called for accelerated reforms, adequate and sustainable funding for accountability institutions, impartial enforcement of anti-corruption laws and stronger collaboration between state and non-state actors.
The report said addressing the challenges was essential to consolidating the gains, strengthening governance systems and restoring public trust in institutions responsible for combating corruption.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
20 Aug. 2026