Ghana’s long-running battle against corruption has shown little movement, with the country recording no meaningful improvement in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), raising fresh concerns about the credibility of state institutions and the effectiveness of anti-graft reforms.
Transparency International’s latest index, released on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, scores Ghana at 43 out of 100, placing the country 76th out of 182 countries assessed globally. While the score marks a one-point increase from 42 in 2024, the organisation notes that such a marginal change does not amount to real progress under its methodology.
The score reflects a broader pattern of stagnation. Ghana has remained stuck at 43 since 2020, with only a brief dip last year. The country last recorded a stronger performance in 2014, when it scored 48, before entering a steady decline that bottomed out in 2018.
According to Transparency International’s Board Chair, François Valérian, corruption can no longer be addressed through isolated national efforts alone.
“In an interconnected world, we need both national action and multilateral cooperation to protect the public interest and tackle shared challenges like corruption,” he said, warning that growing disregard for international norms threatens transparency, accountability, and human rights.
The latest CPI assessment comes at a time when
Ghana’s justice and accountability framework is under intense public scrutiny. Recent developments including the removal of a former Chief Justice, petitions targeting heads of independent institutions, and the discontinuation of corruption cases through a controversial 60:40 settlement arrangement — have fueled perceptions of political interference in law enforcement and judicial processes.
The settlement policy, which allowed some officials accused of corruption to avoid prosecution by refunding part of allegedly misappropriated funds, has dampened public confidence, particularly after heightened expectations surrounding the launch of Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL).
While the Office of the Special Prosecutor has taken steps to improve transparency in investigations and prosecutions, the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Transparency International’s local chapter, says these efforts have yet to translate into a measurable shift in public perception.
Globally, the CPI paints a bleak picture. Corruption levels are worsening even in advanced democracies, with the number of countries scoring above 80 shrinking from 12 a decade ago to just five. The global average now stands at 42.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the lowest-performing region, averaging 32 out of 100, with ten of its 49 countries experiencing significant declines since 2012. Only seven countries in the region have shown notable improvement.
In response, TI-Ghana is urging the government to prioritise justice-sector reforms, including fast-tracking the establishment of specialised anti-corruption courts and fully implementing the National Ethics and Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NEACAP).
The organisation is also calling on Parliament to expedite passage of the Community Tribunal Bill, reform political party financing laws, and safeguard civic space and media freedom. Additional recommendations include ethical reorientation programmes, greater transparency in regulatory agencies, and stronger awareness of anti-money laundering obligations among Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions.
TI-Ghana cautioned that the CPI should be viewed as an early warning signal rather than a final judgment.
“Defensive reactions will not change perceptions,” the organisation noted, adding that sustained political commitment and measurable reforms are essential for rebuilding public trust and improving Ghana’s long-term anti-corruption outcomes.