Ghana has recorded a slight improvement in its corruption score, returning to 43 out of 100 in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), ranking 76th out of 182 countries assessed. However, analysts caution that the one-point increase is too minimal to reflect meaningful progress in the fight against corruption.
The index, released by Transparency International on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, marks a marginal rise from Ghana’s 2024 score of 42. Under the CPI methodology, such a change is not considered statistically significant.
Chair of Transparency International’s Board, François Valérian, stressed that combating corruption requires both strong domestic action and international collaboration. He warned that growing disregard for international norms threatens transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights, underscoring the need to uphold a rules-based global order.
Ghana’s CPI score has largely stagnated at 43 since 2020, apart from last year’s dip. The country last recorded a higher score in 2014, when it reached 48, before experiencing a steady decline up to 2018.
The 2025 results come against a backdrop of growing concern over the politicisation of Ghana’s justice system and law enforcement bodies. Issues such as the removal of the former Chief Justice, petitions targeting heads of independent institutions, and the discontinuation of corruption cases through a controversial 60:40 settlement arrangement have fuelled perceptions of executive interference.
That settlement mechanism, which enabled some officials accused of corruption to avoid prosecution by refunding part of allegedly misappropriated funds, weakened public confidence in anti-graft efforts, particularly after the launch of Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL).
While the Office of the Special Prosecutor has taken steps to enhance transparency in corruption investigations and prosecutions, the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Transparency International’s local chapter, says these efforts have yet to yield significant impact.
Global and regional outlook
Globally, corruption levels are deteriorating, even within long-established democracies. Countries scoring above 80 on the CPI have fallen from 12 a decade ago to just five in 2025, with the global average now at 42.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the lowest-ranked region, averaging 32 out of 100. Since 2012, ten of the region’s 49 countries have seen significant declines, while only seven have shown improvement.
Calls for reform
TI-Ghana is urging the government to strengthen the justice system, fast-track the establishment of specialised anti-corruption courts, and swiftly adopt the National Ethics and Anti-Corruption Plan (NEACAP).
Additional recommendations include accelerating passage of the Community Tribunal Bill, reforming political party financing laws, safeguarding civic space and media freedom, promoting ethical reorientation, enhancing transparency in regulatory agencies, and improving awareness of anti-money laundering obligations among Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions.
The organisation emphasised that the CPI is an early warning tool rather than a final judgment, noting that defensive reactions will not improve public perception.
“With sustained political will and measurable reforms, Ghana can rebuild public trust and strengthen its anti-corruption performance over time,” TI-Ghana said.
