The Ghana Police Service and the Office of the President are regarded as the most corrupt institutions in Ghana. According to the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), the Afrobarometer study conducted in Ghana reveals these results.
The research found that the Police scored 65%, putting them at the top of the chain, while the Presidency scored 55%. The report also placed members of Parliament as the third group of people in the pack with a score of 54%. This was revealed at an event organised by the CDD in Accra. Other state agencies followed suit as the most corrupt institutions in Ghana. Judges and magistrates, tax officials, and the Electoral Commission were added to the list.
The Endemic Nature of Corruption
Corruption has been one of the major issues that have retarded development and governance in Ghana and most African countries. State institutions that are instituted to bring peace and stability and protect public interest are rather robbing the country of it. Officials voted and appointed to manage the resources of the country are rather mismanaging it. The police and presidency are the worst offenders confirming the doubt and perception people already have about these two institutions. This is a serious problem that needs to be addressed urgently.
Corruption threatens democracy and the rule of law. It also makes economic development difficult because resources are diverted to enriching an elite few instead of being invested in programs that could improve the quality of life for all citizens. It can lead to higher prices for goods and services, and can also lead to bribery and favouritism. This means that it’s harder for honest, hardworking people to get ahead in the country as people often buy their way out.
A survey conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in 2021, placed the Lands Commission officers, prosecutors, judges or magistrates, and immigration officers as the top three categories of public officials who received the largest cash bribes. These agencies are supposed to bring justice, protect the boundaries of the nation and help protect properties or solve disputes that are associated with lands.
According to the CDD report, trust in the presidency declined by 25% between 2019 and 2022. Out of the 2400 participants, 65% of them responded that pointed that the police are the most corrupt institution showing the distrust they have towards the police service. Often allegations of corruption, brutality, and misconduct are levelled against the police force. Now citizens use demonstrations and other forms of violent means to make their voices heard.
A typical example is what happened when the majority leader in Parliament, Hon Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu went to his constituency. Some police officers work in remote areas without supervision or oversight. These officers turn power against the people they are supposed to serve. An example is a policeman beating a hunchback man in the Asikuma Odoben Brakwa district because he had an issue with a certain leader. It was perpetuated that the said lady is the lover of the policeman. When all these crimes go unpunished by the authorities, people lose faith in both systems – at times turning their anger towards the government itself.
More Crime than Ever Before
Accidents on our roads keep on increasing because the police who are supposed to check and regulate drivers on our roads, often take bribes instead of bringing them to justice. There has been a significant decline in GH¢0.11 billion worth of assets seized from criminals across all security agencies. In other words, this means that there is more crime than ever before with no noticeable improvements to protect citizens from crime or corruption. A few years ago, a certain Police Commissioner was indicted for refusing to disclose property acquired through criminal activity despite being ordered by the court on numerous occasions but remained on active-duty status.
Ultimately, we must acknowledge that corruption is a problem. Citizens must be educated on what corruption is and how it manifests itself. While there is no quick fix, solutions exist. Anti-corruption legislation should be passed. We need to be more vigilant in fighting corruption and support anti-corruption agencies like the CDD. It will take time before Ghanaian institutions return to what they should be, but these reforms will get us there eventually.