Ghana’s anti-graft efforts inch up –CPI

Ghana’s corruption score has edged up marginally in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), rising from 42 in 2024 to 43 out of 100, according to Transparency International (TI). The improvement places the country 76th out of 182 nations assessed, but analysts say the change is too slight to reflect meaningful progress in the fight against corruption.

The CPI results were released on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Transparency International cautioned that, based on its methodology, a one-point movement does not amount to a statistically significant improvement.

A Stagnant Score Over Time

Ghana’s return to a score of 43 marks a reversal of last year’s decline but underscores a longer-term stagnation. The country has hovered around the same score since 2020, with the exception of the dip in 2024.

Historically, Ghana’s best CPI performance was recorded in 2014, when it scored 48. Since then, the country has followed a downward trajectory, bottoming out in 2018 before stabilising at a lower level.

Calls for Stronger Domestic and Global Action

Transparency International’s Board Chair, François Valérian, stressed that tackling corruption requires sustained national commitment backed by international cooperation.

“In an interconnected world, we need both national action and multilateral cooperation to protect the public interest and tackle shared challenges like corruption,” Valérian said.
“At a time when we’re seeing a dangerous disregard for international norms from some states, we need to protect a rules-based global order that is grounded in transparency, accountability to citizens and respect for human rights.”

Justice System Under Scrutiny

The 2025 assessment comes against the backdrop of growing concerns about the politicisation of Ghana’s justice system and law enforcement agencies.

The dismissal of a former Chief Justice, ongoing petitions seeking the removal of heads of independent institutions, and the discontinuation of corruption cases through a controversial 60:40 settlement arrangement have fuelled perceptions of executive interference.

Under the settlement framework, some public officials facing corruption charges were allowed to avoid prosecution by paying a portion of the funds alleged to have been misappropriated. This approach dampened public expectations that followed the launch of Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), which had been promoted as a decisive anti-corruption initiative.

Limited Impact of Enforcement Efforts

While the Office of the Special Prosecutor has taken steps to improve transparency in corruption investigations and prosecutions, the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Transparency International’s local chapter, says these efforts have yet to translate into a perceptible impact on corruption levels.

According to GII, enforcement actions must be supported by stronger institutional independence and consistent political backing to change both realities and perceptions.

Global and Regional Picture

Globally, the CPI paints a grim picture. Corruption continues to worsen even in long-established democracies. The number of countries scoring above 80 has dropped sharply—from 12 a decade ago to just five in the latest index. The global average now stands at 42 out of 100.

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the lowest-scoring region, with an average score of 32. Of the region’s 49 countries, ten have experienced significant deterioration since 2012, while only seven have shown improvement.

Roadmap for Reform

TI-Ghana is urging the government to take bold and measurable steps to reverse the trend. Key recommendations include strengthening the justice system, fast-tracking the establishment of specialised anti-corruption courts, and swiftly adopting the National Ethics and Anti-Corruption Plan (NEACAP).

The organisation also called on Parliament to expedite passage of the Community Tribunal Bill, reform political party financing laws, and safeguard civic space and media freedom.

Additional proposals include cultural reorientation around ethics, enhanced transparency in state regulatory agencies, and greater awareness among Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions of their anti-money laundering obligations.

CPI as a Warning, Not a Verdict

TI-Ghana emphasised that the CPI should be viewed as an early warning signal rather than a final judgment on Ghana’s governance.

“Defensive responses will not change perceptions,” the organisation noted, adding that with sustained political will and concrete reforms, Ghana can rebuild public trust and gradually improve its anti-corruption outcomes.