Ghana’s public financial management system is facing serious challenges, with financial irregularities amounting to GH¢20.49 billion recorded across public boards, corporations and other statutory institutions, ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), and metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs).

The figure is contained in the 2025 State of Corruption Report of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) launched in Accra yesterday.

The report, which assesses Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts and developments throughout 2025, says the scale of the irregularities points to persistent weaknesses in expenditure controls and the enforcement of financial management rules.

Boards hardest hit

Public boards, corporations and other statutory institutions accounted for the largest share, with irregularities rising sharply from GH¢8.8 billion in 2023 to GH¢18.4 billion in 2024.

The report described the increase as a signal of weak expenditure controls, warning that the resources could otherwise have been channelled into critical social and economic development programmes.

It also noted a 109.3 per cent increase in overall irregularities in the areas reviewed, with outstanding debtors and loans recoverable, cash, procurement, tax, stores and contract irregularities recording significant increases.

For MDAs, the cost of irregularities stood at about GH¢2.1 billion.

Although the figure represented a 14.6 per cent decline from 2023, the report expressed concern over sharp increases in cash, outstanding debtors and loans recoverable, payroll, procurement and rent-related irregularities.

The report said the recurring nature of the irregularities suggested that existing internal control systems were being circumvented without sufficient consequences.

OSP strikes

While the figures painted a worrying picture, the report also highlighted intensified action by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

In 2025, the OSP initiated 71 investigations and secured seven convictions.

It also saved approximately GH¢5.73 billion, recovered GH¢6.5 million and $2 million, and seized assets valued at more than GH¢102 million.

The Ghana Audit Service also recovered about GH¢10 million out of GH¢150.36 million in unearned salaries, allowances and other financial irregularities identified in a nationwide payroll audit involving 2,408 separate staff.

An additional GH¢14.95 million was recovered through routine audits.

Fight not over

The GACC report says Ghana has a well-established anti-corruption architecture, but weaknesses in enforcement, political will, legal implementation and sustainable funding continue to undermine its effectiveness.

It says improvements in investigations, asset recovery and public awareness have not yet translated into a decisive reduction in corruption risks or a significant change in public perception.

The report consequently calls for accelerated reforms, stronger enforcement, adequate funding for accountability institutions and closer collaboration between state and non-state actors to strengthen Ghana’s fight against corruption.

Speaking to the report in an interciew, the Executive Secretary of the GACC, Beauty Emefa Narteh, called for urgent action to address persistent governance and accountability challenges undermining the fight against corruption in the country.

She said the report was intended to inform public discourse and strengthen accountability, while drawing attention to corruption vulnerabilities that required practical interventions.

Mrs Narteh said although the report acknowledged progress made by accountability institutions through investigations, prosecutions, audits, public education and asset recovery, significant challenges remained.

She urged public institutions, accountability agencies, civil society organisations, the private sector, the media and the citizens to carefully study the findings and recommendations of the report.

Mrs Narteh said stakeholders must identify corruption risks within their respective sectors and develop practical measures to address them.

She stressed that the report should not be seen merely as an assessment of the state of corruption in the country, but also as a call to action for stakeholders to strengthen integrity systems and protect public resources.

She said concerted efforts were also needed to rebuild public trust and promote national development.

The GACC Executive Secretary further urged stakeholders to use the report as a tool to deepen accountability and reinforce efforts to prevent and combat corruption in the country.