According to the 2023 World Economics Governance Index study, Ghana is one of Africa’s top ten best-governed countries, ranking fifth behind Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana.
Per the ranking, Ghana outperformed Senegal, Malawi, Lesotho, Burkina Faso, Togo, and Nigeria.
Ghana scored a grade of B, and with an index of 61.7, secured the 5th position ahead of Senegal, whose closest West African counterpart ranks 6th with a grade of C and an index of 53.6.
Ghana, which has celebrated more than three decades of democracy under the Fourth Republic, is frequently cited as a shining example of democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The report’s grading system factored in indicators such as rule of law, press freedom, political rights, and corruption, which ranked Ghana as the best-governed country in West Africa.
On the corruption levels, Ghana scored a 48.8 index, the lowest amongst the four grading indicators.
Meanwhile, the country ranked 48th in the global rankings. The West African country edges out countries like Argentina, Bulgaria, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Brazil, Senegal, Malawi, Indonesia, India, Tunisia, Cote d’Ivoire, United Arab Emirates, Benin, Rwanda, Kenya, Morocco, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Turkey, Egypt, amongst other countries.
The report highlights the need for significant improvements in the way the rule of law is applied. It also advocated for a more successful approach to fighting corruption, one of the many problems facing the country.
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The report also underscored that media practitioners and journalists must be provided with a secure workplace free from intimidation and fear.
