Emmanuel OchayiGhana is losing an alarming $3 billion every year due to corruption, a figure that far exceeds the foreign direct investment (FDI) the country receives. This revelation was made by Beauty Nartey, the President of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), during the launch of an anti-corruption initiative in Accra. Nartey’s statement highlights the severe impact of corruption on Ghana’s economy and its ability to foster development.
Corruption’s Toll on Ghana
Speaking at the event, Nartey emphasised that the annual loss of $3 billion to corruption is more than double the amount Ghana receives in foreign aid. “What comes into our country as support is only about half of what we lose to corruption,” she noted. Nartey urged the government to focus less on external aid and more on addressing corruption internally. According to her, reducing corruption would free up significant resources that could be used to boost the country’s development and fight poverty.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelREAD ALSO: Ghana Ranks Second Most Indebted African Country – Report
Strengthening Anti-Corruption Efforts
Corruption remains a key obstacle to Ghana’s socio-economic progress. Mrs Nartey stressed the need for stronger collaboration among critical institutions like the Auditor-General’s Department, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). She called for harsher penalties and better enforcement mechanisms to effectively deter corrupt practices.
“We cannot continue paying lip service to the fight against corruption,” Nartey said. “We need stronger measures and more accountability.” One of the proposed tools in the fight against corruption is the Illicit Enrichment Law, which the GACC believes will help tackle unexplained wealth among public officials.
EU and German-backed Anti-Corruption Initiative
The event in Accra also marked the launch of an anti-corruption project, which is part of the larger Participation, Accountability, and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) programme. This initiative, backed by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-funded by the European Union, aims to increase transparency and public accountability in Ghana’s financial system.
The €12.7 million project, led by GIZ Ghana in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, will focus on building the capacity of key public institutions such as the OSP, EOCO, and CHRAJ. It will also support civil society organisations through training and funding for advocacy efforts. One of the key goals of the programme is to promote digitalisation, improve data-sharing, and enhance transparency in public service delivery.
Ghana’s Struggles with Corruption Perception
Ghana’s performance on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) has consistently been below the global average of 50, signalling widespread dissatisfaction with government accountability. Key state institutions, including the police, parliament, and tax authorities, are frequently named as the most corrupt by the public. This erosion of trust further hinders effective reform and undermines the nation’s development efforts.
Citizens’ Role in Combating Corruption
While institutional reforms are essential, Nartey also emphasised the importance of civic responsibility in combating corruption. She outlined a three-step strategy for the general public:
- Resist corrupt practices.
- Reject inducements that compromise integrity.
- Report corruption to the relevant authorities.
“Every citizen has a role to play,” she said. “Building a culture of accountability starts with each of us.”
A Shared Commitment to Reform
The launch of the anti-corruption initiative in Accra brought together representatives from the government, civil society, donor agencies, and the European Union. The event served as a reaffirmation of the shared commitment to tackling corruption and strengthening Ghana’s democratic institutions.
As Ghana continues to grapple with the challenges posed by corruption, it is clear that a multi-faceted approach involving both government action and citizen involvement will be key to addressing this pervasive issue.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
![Abandoned Promise: How UNIZIK's Neglect Of Ifite-Ogwari Campus Threatens Nigeria's Food Security [Video]](https://www.primebusiness.africa/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/UNIZIK-Ifite-Ogawari-Campus-Faculty-of-Agriculture-480x384.jpg)
