Over 18% pay bribes when accessing public services – GSS report

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) conducted a study on bribery. This study monitors Ghana's performance on Sustainable Development Goal Indicator 16.5.1. This indicator tracks the proportion of people who paid or were asked to pay bribes to public officials.

The survey used Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI). It reached 7,248 respondents across all 16 regions. Of those surveyed, 55.7 percent had contact with a public official from January to December 2024.

Bribery patterns show significant demographic disparities. Males accounted for 77.4 percent of those who paid bribes. Females made up 22.6 percent of bribe-payers.

Bribery was more common in urban areas at 61.9 percent compared to rural areas at 38.1 percent. The highest incidence of bribery occurred among individuals aged 35 to 49 years, accounting for about 43 percent of all bribes paid.

Education levels also influenced bribery trends. Individuals with tertiary and JHS/middle-level education recorded the highest figures for paying bribes.

Most bribe-payers were employed, making up 75.6 percent of respondents. However, about 22.4 percent of unemployed individuals reported paying over GH¢1,000 in bribes, highlighting corruption's economic burden on the jobless.

Among persons with disabilities, around 21 percent reported paying bribes. Rates were significantly higher among those with physical impairments (40.1%) and visual impairments (32.5%).

Institutional analysis showed that the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) had the highest bribery rates. Six in ten people interacting with MTTD officials reported paying bribes.

Other institutions with high bribery prevalence included general duties police (46.7%), police CID (37.9%), and city guards (34.4%). In contrast, the Minerals Commission had no reported cases of bribery.

Geographically, Greater Accra (22%) and Ashanti Region (18.1%) had the most incidents of bribery while Savannah (1%) and North East (1.1%) reported the least.

Money was the most common form of bribe at 85.2%. Other items included food, drinks, animals (9%), and services exchanged (4.4%).

Payment amounts varied widely: one-third paid between GH¢101 - GH¢500; about 14% paid over GH¢1,000.

More males (15.6%) than females (10.8%) reported paying over GH¢1,000 in bribes as well as urban residents compared to rural ones.

A striking 74.9% of bribes were directly requested by public officials or through third parties.
About 17% gave bribes voluntarily to facilitate processes or show appreciation.

However, only 14% of incidents were reported to anti-corruption institutions.
Urban dwellers were more likely to report than rural residents.

According to GSS, this first wave serves as a baseline for tracking governance-related experiences over time.
Government Statistician Dr.Alhassan Iddrisu called it a “call to action.” He emphasized using this evidence for reforms that empower citizens and reduce corruption in public service delivery.

The bi-annual Governance Series will follow up every six months with the same respondents.
These findings will inform Ghana’s third Voluntary National Review scheduled for July 2025.