Requests for unofficial payments in exchange for public services increased significantly in Ghana during the second half of 2025, according to new data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The report indicates that nearly seven out of every 10 citizens who encountered bribery said public officials directly demanded additional payments before providing services.
The findings point to growing concerns about the persistence of corruption within the delivery of public services, particularly where citizens interact directly with government officials.
The GSS data further shows that bribery payments rose to 18 percent in late 2025, highlighting the continued challenge Ghana faces in promoting transparency and accountability across public institutions.
The development has renewed calls for stronger measures to discourage the solicitation and payment of bribes, while improving monitoring systems and accountability mechanisms within the public sector.
Experts and governance advocates have consistently argued that reducing corruption requires not only enforcement but also reforms that make public services more transparent, accessible and less vulnerable to unofficial charges.
