New data from the Ghana Statistical Service shows a complex picture of citizens' interactions with public officials in the first half of 2025.

The Governance Series Wave Two report finds that 14.3 percent of respondents said they gave a gift or money to a public official between January and June 2025, down from 18.4 percent in the previous survey.

While that decline is a welcome sign, the report flags a worrying trend: among those who do give, repeat giving has surged, with the share of people who reported giving gifts five or more times rising from 6.9 percent to 24 percent.

Government statistician Dr Alhassan Iddrisu said the Governance Series provides timely, citizen-centred data that can help shape reforms.

He urged policymakers to use the evidence to strengthen trust and improve public services.

The report shows that money remains the most common form of gift and that more than half of those who gave reported amounts of 100 Ghana cedis or less.

Direct requests for gifts from officials fell from 51.3 percent to 38.6 percent, yet voluntary gifts offered as tokens of appreciation nearly doubled from 17.6 percent to 32.9 percent.

Reporting of bribery incidents to official or informal channels also declined during the period under review.

Frontline services continue to register the highest incidence of informal payments.

The Motor Traffic and Transport Division of the Police Service remained the agency most frequently associated with gifts or bribes, though the share fell from 61 percent to 51.9 percent.

The persistence of such payments at key public touchpoints highlights the need for improved complaint mechanisms and stronger oversight.

The report also records positive movement on civic inclusion.

The share of Ghanaians who feel ordinary people can influence public decision-making rose from 54.8 percent to 68.4 percent, and the proportion who feel completely excluded fell from 42.4 percent to 29.2 percent.

Gains were strongest among young people aged 18 to 24, seniors aged 65 and above, and persons with difficulty performing daily activities.

Despite improvements, regional disparities remain: The North East, Upper East and Northern regions still report the highest perceptions of exclusion.

The Governance Series Wave Two answers build into national monitoring of Sustainable Development Goal 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions.

By tracking bribery, citizen participation and inclusion, the data offers a practical tool for government, civil society and development partners to target interventions that tackle petty corruption and expand civic engagement.

GSS encourages researchers, policymakers and the public to consult the full report at www.statsghana.gov.gh for complete tables, regional breakdowns and methodology.

The findings show progress in some areas, but they also underline persistent challenges that require coordinated action if Ghana is to reduce informal payments and strengthen trust in public institutions.