Ghana Statistical Service calls for digitalisation to combat bribery

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) is advocating for accelerated digitalisation of public services, increased fee transparency, and enhanced public education to combat a rise in bribery demands by public officials.

According to GSS Governance Series findings, the proportion of citizens reporting demands for unofficial payments rose from 51% in the first half of 2025 to 69% between July and December 2025. Additionally, the percentage of citizens who actually paid bribes increased from 14.3% to 18% during that same period.

Omar Seidu, Deputy Government Statistician, noted that digitalisation has already proven effective, citing a significant decline in bribery at the Passport Office following the implementation of digital services. He emphasized that making official fees and procedures public can reduce the opportunity for officials to demand unofficial payments.

Ten institutions identified as having significant exposure to bribery risks are currently engaging with the GSS to identify solutions. While bribery experiences increased, the GSS noted that Ghana's overall governance performance improved in 2025 compared to 2024.