GHANA Country Profile

Private Anti-Corruption Initiatives

  • Media: The media in Ghana is generally considered to be independent, and debates about corruption are lively. Freedom of expression is constitutionally guaranteed and generally respected. Numerous private radio stations operate, and many independent newspapers and magazines are published in Accra. However, Ghana has yet to pass legislation protecting freedom of information. Former President Kufuor met with the press in August 2006 for an open debate about controversial issues, including allegations of financial irregularities involving Kufuor himself and concerning nepotism in political offices. Contrary to this presidential display of openness to the media, Freedom House 2009 reports that the number of attacks on and acts of intimidation against journalists increased in 2008, as police arbitrarily detained and abused reporters throughout the year and a number of journalists reported being attacked or threatened in the months leading up to the election, particularly by NPP supporters. The Bertelsmann Foundation 2010 reports that there is no organised repression of the free media. The state-owned media has established an increasing degree of autonomy, but criticism of government activities is less heated than in the independent newspapers. According to several sources, the quality of reporting varies, but access to information is not controlled by the government and the Internet has made major inroads into urban society. The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is a member of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition and works to promote high standards of professionalism, integrity and accountability in Ghana's media. Reporters Without Borders 2010 ranks Ghana 27th out of 175 countries, while Freedom House 2009 characterises Ghana's media as 'free' and ranks it 53rd out of 195 countries in relation to press freedom.

  • Civil Society: The Bertelsmann Foundation 2010 reports that civil society has asserted itself, with the help of prolonged civilian rule and a growing certainty that democracy has come to stay, but is mostly visible in the urban areas. One major reason for this development is continued donor support for NGOs. Another factor is that citizens are growing increasingly accustomed to the freedoms of a civil society and seem to be prepared to engage themselves outside political parties. Religious organisations are playing an increasingly important role. Trade unionism, on the other hand, remains relatively weak, but is succeeding in mobilisation when it comes to protesting against specific topics where it can tap into popular support. Many NGOs still lack professionalism and other resources, but their role in advocacy and in criticising unpopular government measures has been substantial.

  • Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII): The GII functions as the local chapter of Transparency International and organises public debates on the causes and effects of corruption and ways to curb the problem. The GII aims at creating awareness about the negative effects of corruption and receives funds from several bilateral and multilateral donors. The GII has established an Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre (ALAC) that provides legal assistance to victims and witnesses of corruption. Corruption complaints can be directed to the ALAC through a toll free hotline. The GII is a member of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition.

  • Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana): The CDD-Ghana is a NGO based in Accra working for promotion of democracy, good governance and the development of a liberal political and economic environment in Ghana. The CDD-Ghana is a member of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition.

  • Private Enterprise Foundation (PEF): The PEF is an organisation founded by four major business associations with the objective of influencing policy initiatives for the creation of an enabling environment for private sector business. It operates in four main areas of policy research/advocacy, contract management services, institutional capacity development and training and promotion of technology based industries. The PEF is a member of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition.

  • Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA): The IEA is Ghana's first public policy think-tank and is a member of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition. It was founded in 1989 with the aim of broadening the debate on public policy, promoting private sector-led economic growth, and strengthening the pillars of democracy. The IEA targets unpopular laws that have high probabilities of being changed, such as those affecting business registration, imports, exchange rates, privatisation, foreign investments and banking. It distributes short policy reports containing cost-benefit analyses of existing or proposed legislation to key decision makers from government, associations and unions, religious bodies, academia and the media.

  • Ghana Center for Public Integrity (GCPI): The GCPI is a non-profit, non-governmental and non-partisan organisation with the following objectives: 1) promote the practice of investigative journalism in Ghana and the West Africa sub-region; 2) build the capacity of journalists in investigative journalism, human rights and computer assisted reporting; 3) provide a forum for interaction and networking between journalists, researchers and personnel in institutions of vertical and horizontal accountability; 4) liaise with local and international organisations that work to promote investigative journalism, higher journalistic standards, good governance and anti-corruption; 5) provide a media resource centre for media training institutions, journalists and researchers; 6) press for enhanced legislative environment for the practice of investigative journalism and; 7) conduct research into governance issues, corruption, the management of public affairs and democratic consolidation.

  • African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption Ghana (APNAC): APNAC is active in capacity-building, information campaigns, promotion of anti-corruption legislation, and establishing a legal framework to promote free elections.

  • Association of Ghana Industries (AGI): The AGI is a non-profit organisation that was established in 1958 by a group of indigenous Ghanaian manufacturers. Today, the AGI has more than 1,200 members from all over Ghana and is considered to be the leading voice of the private sector. The AGI's main objectives are to contribute substantially to the growth and development of industries in Ghana and to create a business climate which will allow Ghanaian companies to be internationally competitive. The AGI conducts surveys, collects data and develops policy papers for a more conducive business environment in Ghana. With the support of GTZ, the organisation conducts the AGI Business Barometer and provides input into the formulation of the National Annual Budget, consulting with numerous public institutions on a wide range of issues, including anti-corruption. The AGI conducts lobbying, networking events, workshops, management training, market research and information among other activities. It is affiliated with the PEF, the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Ghana Chamber of Mines and the Ghana Employers' Association.

  • Ghana Business Code (GHBC): The GHBC is a series of prescriptions based on the universal principles referred to in the UN Global Compact 10 Principles, relating to human rights, labour standards, the environment, and anti-corruption. Compliance with a code of conduct is increasingly becoming a requirement in supply chain management, business match-making, business mentoring schemes, financing, national and international procurement. The GHBC is intended to present best practices by adding requirement beyond core labour rights. While the GHBC is the first code ever formulated to apply to all segments of the national business community, it does not substitute sound legislation protecting the interests of employees, customers, or shareholders.