Listeners who joined discussions on Luv FM in Kumasi shared experiences of alleged corruption across several sectors, including public institutions, revenue and regulatory agencies whose actions they say are crippling small businesses and undermining public trust.

Their concerns come against the backdrop of the latest findings by the Ghana Statistical Service, which indicate that public officials solicited unofficial payments from nearly seven out of every ten people who encountered bribery situations during the second half of 2025.

Small business operators who spoke during the discussions described what they called a culture of intimidation.

According to them, some officials allegedly threaten to close down businesses and impose questionable tax assessments based on gross sales rather than profits.

They also alleged that, in some cases, officials demand hefty bribes running into tens of thousands of cedis before offering relief or approvals.

Many of the callers warned that such practices are discouraging entrepreneurship, shrinking already struggling businesses and deepening public mistrust in state institutions.