Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition launches 2025 state of corruption report

Ghana made strides in its fight against corruption in 2025, with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) actively pursuing investigations and securing convictions. The OSP initiated 71 investigations and achieved seven convictions, alongside significant financial interventions including savings of approximately GH¢5.73 billion and recoveries totaling GH¢6.5 million and US$2 million. Assets valued at over GH¢102 million were also seized. Despite these efforts, the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition's (GACC) 2025 State of Corruption Report reveals a troubling backdrop of persistent financial irregularities, weak enforcement, and stalled reforms. The report underscores that these interventions have not yet led to a decisive reduction in corruption risks. A major concern remains the scale of financial irregularities identified by the Auditor-General, amounting to GH¢20.49 billion across various public bodies. Public boards and statutory institutions saw a sharp rise in irregularities, from GH¢8.8 billion in 2023 to GH¢18.4 billion in 2024, signaling weak expenditure controls in areas like procurement and cash management. While irregularities involving Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) decreased by 14.6% to about GH¢2.1 billion, issues with cash, debts, and payroll persist. At the district level, financial irregularities totaled GH¢18.9 million in 2024, with increases in payroll and asset management irregularities, indicating that existing control systems can be circumvented. The Ghana Audit Service also reported recoveries of about GH¢150.36 million from a payroll audit of separated staff.