Corruption Perceptions Index report by Transparency International, released today, Tuesday, January 30, has ranked Ghana in the 70th position out of 180 countries monitored.
This is the fourth time since the 2020 ranking by the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII). The local chapter of Transparency International.
The Corruption Perception Index from Transparency International paints a contradictory picture of anti-corruption initiatives throughout Africa.
Although there have been substantial advancements in certain nations, most still face pervasive corruption.
The CPI Report further revealed that 90 percent of the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa scored less than fifty.
The average score for African countries is still quite low, at just 33 out of 100.
“Ghana scored 43 out of a clean score of 100 and ranked 70th out of 180 countries and territories included in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023 released today, 30th January 2024 by Transparency International (TI).”
“This marks the fourth consecutive year of stagnation in Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts, as indicated by the CPI,” it added.
Ghana’s stagnation, according to Transparency International, can be related to the failing judicial system, which is making public officials less accountable and fostering corruption.
“Under the theme for the CPI 2023 – Corruption and Justice, Ghana’s stagnated score highlights a global trend of deteriorating justice systems, which is reducing the accountability of public officials and therefore allowing corruption to thrive.”
Moreover, the CPI Report stated the connection between Ghana’s Corruption Perceptions Index score and performance in the Rule of Law Index produced by the World Justice Project.
Meanwhile, the Rule of Law Index also demonstrates a concerning decline.
“In the 2015 Rule of Law Index, Ghana scored 0.60 and ranked 34, but by 2023, Ghana’s score had decreased to 0.55, with a corresponding drop in ranking to 61.”
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The Board Chairman of TI, François Valérian, noted 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 added.
To guarantee that the laws on assets declaration require verification and have harsh penalties for non-compliance, the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) advised that the Parliament take action and introduce the Conduct of Public Officer’s Bill.
The Corruption Perceptions Index report issued by Transparency International ranks countries’ progress out of 100% in their fight against corruption.