Ghanaians Demand Better Roads, Stable Prices and Government Accountability, Survey Shows

Bribery Declines but Repeat Payments Surge

A nationwide survey released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) on African Statistics Day reveals that Ghanaians are seeing some improvements in public service delivery, even as daily economic pressures persist.

The Governance Series Wave 2 Report, covering citizen experiences from January to June 2025, shows overall bribery has fallen from 18.4% to 14.3%. Yet, those paying bribes multiple times have increased sharply, with repeat payments rising from 6.9% to 24%.

Direct demands for bribes dropped from 51.3% to 38.6%, while voluntary gifts almost doubled, signaling that citizens may still feel compelled to offer tokens in a climate of social pressure or fear. Money remains the most common form of payment, typically 100 cedis or less.

The Motor Traffic and Transport Department continues to top the list of institutions linked to bribery, although its share fell from 61% to 51.9%, indicating incremental progress in reducing corruption.

Citizens Report Greater Voice in Governance

The survey also highlights rising civic confidence. Ghanaians who believe they can influence national decision-making grew from 54.8% to 68.4%, while those feeling completely excluded dropped from 42.4% to 29.2%.

Significant improvements were noted among youth, older adults, and persons with disabilities. Nonetheless, the North East, Upper East, and Northern Regions still report the highest levels of exclusion, underscoring persistent regional disparities.

Infrastructure, Jobs and Economic Stability Dominate Priorities

When asked what the government should prioritize over the next six months, respondents were consistent:

• Better infrastructure and public services – 52.6%
  Citizens emphasized the need for reliable roads, water, electricity, healthcare, and schools.

• Economic stability, jobs, and business support – 25.9%
  Rising costs and unemployment are top concerns affecting households and communities.

“These two priorities alone represent nearly 80 percent of citizen expectations,” noted Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, Government Statistician, reflecting widespread concern about service delivery and regional inequality.

Policy Roadmap: Accountability, Civic Engagement, and Digital Governance

Dr. Iddrisu outlined five urgent policy priorities for the government:

1. Strengthen accountability in public institutions

2. Expand civic engagement

3. Promote transparency across sectors

4. Target support to regions with high exclusion

5. Leverage digital tools to modernize governance

He emphasized that the Governance Series is not just a report but a roadmap guiding Ghana’s efforts toward SDG 16 — Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

The study was produced with support from CHRAJ, PAIRed, GACC, Transparency International Ghana, ACEPA, Hewlett Foundation, and CDD-Ghana, highlighting a collaborative approach to improving governance through reliable data.

Closing the release, Dr. Iddrisu stressed: “Reliable data gives us the confidence to act, the courage to reform, and the clarity to hold institutions accountable.”

Source: Accra Business News