Ghana continues to fall short in its efforts to curb corruption, according to Mrs. Beauty Emefa Narteh, Executive Secretary of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC).
Referencing recent assessments, she pointed to the Afrobarometer report as evidence of the country’s declining performance in combating graft.
Afrobarometer, a reputable non-partisan research body operating across Africa since 1999, provides reliable data on public opinion, governance, and social conditions.
Speaking at a stakeholder forum in Fiapre, near Sunyani, Mrs. Narteh highlighted growing public disappointment with national leadership.
“The Afrobarometer is showing mistrust of citizens even for public office holders and appointees, and the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) has shown that Ghana is stagnating in the fight against corruption,” she stressed.
She called on citizens to adopt a more active role in protecting public resources and holding leaders accountable.
The engagement, organised by the GACC with support from GIZ, the European Union (EU), and the Swiss government, sought to raise awareness about the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), its mandate under Act 959, and its operational procedures.
Participants included traditional authorities, Assembly Members, civil society actors, persons with disabilities, and community advocates.
Mrs. Narteh expressed concern that many Ghanaians still lack a clear understanding of the OSP’s functions and the importance of reporting corruption cases.
She underscored that corruption remains a severe threat to national development and urged citizens to collaborate with the OSP in tackling the problem.
Pointing to persistent failings across various governments, she observed that successive administrations have struggled to address corruption effectively.
“We therefore have to do something different by empowering the citizenry to hold duty bearers accountable,” she said.
She added that inadequate political will has slowed progress, but emphasized that strong civic participation can strengthen the OSP’s work and significantly reduce corruption.
Mrs. Narteh encouraged the public to stay committed to the anti-corruption fight, urging Ghanaians to channel the same energy they display during elections into monitoring leaders and preventing the misuse of state resources.
