Ghana has recorded a modest improvement on the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), with its score rising from 42 to 43, according to a press release issued by Transparency International on Tuesday, February 10.
The one-point increase has moved Ghana to 76th position out of 182 countries assessed globally, reflecting a slight gain in perceptions of public sector integrity.
Transparency International describes the CPI as “the leading global indicator of public sector corruption,” noting that it ranks countries on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). In the latest rankings, Ghana’s score of 43 represents a marginal improvement compared to the previous year.
Despite Ghana’s progress, the 2025 CPI paints a troubling picture globally. Transparency International warns that “corruption remains a serious threat in every part of the world, although there are limited signs of progress.” The organisation adds that leaders worldwide must urgently act to address abuses of power and the erosion of democratic checks and balances.
The report also links rising public frustration to governance failures, stating that “anti-government protests in many parts of the world show that people are fed up with unaccountable leadership and are demanding reform.”
Out of the 182 countries and territories assessed, only 31 countries have significantly reduced corruption levels since 2012. The majority, however, have either stagnated or deteriorated over the same period. The global average score has now fallen to 42, a new low, with more than two-thirds of countries scoring below 50.
Transparency International cautions that the consequences of corruption are severe and far-reaching. “People are paying the price,” the report notes, citing underfunded hospitals, unbuilt flood defences, and the erosion of opportunities for young people.
While Ghana’s slight improvement offers a positive signal, the report underscores the need for sustained reforms, stronger accountability, and protection of democratic institutions to achieve meaningful progress against corruption.
