METHODOLOGY ON THE TOPIC: PROMOTING PEACEFUL AND INCLUSIVE

SOCIETIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, PROVIDE ACCESS TO

JUSTICE FOR ALL AND BUILD EFFECTIVE, ACCOUNTABLE AND INCLUSIVE
INSTITUTIONS AT ALL LEVELS BY GROUP 23.

CHAPTER 3
Ghana has been regarded as one of the most stable countries in West Africa since its

transition to multi-party democracy in 1992. Corruption prevails in all areas of Ghanaian

government, and there is frequently a lack of accountability. The perpetrators frequently walk

free. The judiciary and police are seen as the most corrupt. However, the establishment of the

Office of the Special Prosecutor has given renewed optimism to Ghana's anti-corruption

initiatives.

The Republic of Ghana, considered one of the more stable countries in West Africa since its

transition to multi-party democracy in 1992, became the first Sub-Saharan republic in

colonial Africa to attain independence in 1957 (BBC News 2018; CIA 2018). Ghana's post-

colonial life has seen the country's economy consolidate, and in the last two decades, it has

made significant progress toward democracy under a multi-party system (Oxford Business

Group 2017; World Bank 2018b). Ghana, with a population of 29.6 million people,

consistently ranks in the top three African countries for freedom of expression and press

freedom, with strong broadcast media in particular, with radio as the medium with the biggest

reach. Such factors contribute to Ghana's strong social capital (World Bank 2018b).

According to data provided in April 2018 by the Ghana Statistical Service, the Ghanaian

economy rose by 8.5% in 2017 from 3.6% the previous year, mostly due to the mining and oil

sectors (World Bank 2018b).

Ghana's economy is built on gold, cocoa, and oil, which have fueled an economic growth

(BBC News 2018). Discrimination against women and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and

transgender) individuals persists, as do some flaws in judicial independence and the rule of
law (Freedom House 2018). Some of the most serious obstacles to government functioning

include political corruption and bureaucratic incompetence (Bertelsmann Stiftung 2018;

Freedom House 2018). Furthermore, the seemingly uncontrolled rate of inflation remains a

serious impediment, while economic inequality, poverty, and environmental degradation

remain unaddressed (Bertelsmann Stiftung 2018). Corruption prevails in all levels of

government in Ghana, and there is frequently a lack of accountability in cases of violence

against women and children, including female genital mutilation.

Transparency International's 2017 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranks Ghana 81st out

of 180 nations (Transparency International 2018). There are different forms of bribery and

corruption in the country. These are: Political bribery and corruption, bribery and corruption

in businesses and pretty and bureaucratic corruption and bribery. Also, we have some sectors

that bribery and corruption affect. These sectors are; natural resource management, the

judiciary, the legislative board, the security agencies and so on.

There are some policies the government has put in place for the activities of bribery and

corruption to reduce. There are also several anti-corruption bodies that exist in Ghana;

however, like most civil service organisations, they remain understaffed and face funding

challenges (Bertelsmann Stiftung 2018). CHRAJ is a significant anti-corruption organization

in Ghana. It combines the duties of an anti-corruption agency, an ombudsman, and a human

rights commission (Kukutschka 2014; ACA 2018). The major flaws identified in the 2016

audit findings were that institutions frequently lacked effective internal control measures to

minimize instances of financial malfeasance in areas such as cash, procurement, payroll,

contract, and tax irregularities, as well as non-payment of outstanding loans (Audit Service of

Ghana 2017).
Another anti-corruption body set up was the Office of the special Prosecutor. The Ghanaian

government established the Office of the Special Prosecutor in 2017 by an act of parliament

to investigate and prosecute specific categories of cases and allegations of corruption and

other criminal wrongdoing under the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29),

including those involving alleged violations of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663)

and cases involving public officers and politically exposed persons (Osei-Amoako 2018).

However, if the accused demonstrates a "willingness to cooperate in the investigation or

prosecution of other persons," the OSP is authorized to offer a plea deal. However, the

accused would still have to plead guilty, which the president could not re-appeal or pardon

(Ghana Web 2017b). Another was NACAP, the Court, the Media, Civil society, GACC,

CDD-Ghana, GII and so on. But all these policies have worked in one way or the other but

still bribery and corruption is still in play and high in the country.

However, our research will help solve these gaps in the policies and also introduce and

implement some ways on how to reduce corruption and bribery in the country (Ghana).
REFERENCES

Ablorh, R. 2016. Corruption: An Everlasting Item on Ghana’s Elections Agenda. My Joy

Online.

Anti-Corruption Authorities (ACA). 2018. Commission on Human Rights and Administrative

Justice (CHRAJ).

Audit Service of Ghana. (2017). Republic Of Ghana - Medium Term Expenditure Framework

(Mtef) For 2017-2019 & Programme Based Budget Estimates For 2017.

BBC News. 2018. Ghana Country Profile.

Bertelsmann Stiftung. 2018. Ghana Country Report.

Boateng, C. 2018. Ghana United against Corruption – National Anti-Corruption Action

Plan. Graphic Online.

Braimah, A. 2016. Are Judges Corrupt? An Empirical analysis of the Ghana Judiciary. IOSR

Journal of Humanities and Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 21, Issue 8, Ver.6.

Brierley, S. 2017. Local Government Corruption in Ghana: Misplaced Control and Incentives

– IGC. International Growth Centre (IGC).