Civil society organisations (CSOs) have urged the Ghanaian government to strengthen anti-corruption and procurement controls within the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy. They warn that current weaknesses undermine effective oversight of public funds. These vulnerabilities include insufficient resources for key institutions and poor access to public information.
The CSOs specifically highlighted weak institutional capacity and procurement vulnerabilities as major concerns. They argue these issues allow corruption to persist and reduce value for money in public spending. Strengthening these areas is crucial for Ghana's economic stability and development. The call comes as the government prepares its financial blueprint for the coming years.
This demand fits into Ghana's ongoing efforts to improve public financial management and combat corruption. Past audits and public discussions have frequently pointed to procurement irregularities and resource constraints for oversight bodies. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other development partners also consistently emphasize good governance. Ghana's economic recovery hinges on efficient and transparent use of public resources.
Solomon Nyankah, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, emphasized the need for adequate resources. He also called for greater operational autonomy for accountability institutions. Mr. Nyankah stated, "This is a call that we've been making almost all the time." He noted that many institutions lack sufficient resources or face constraints. This weakens their ability to investigate, prosecute, and audit effectively.
The CSOs are pushing for stronger institutional safeguards and better enforcement mechanisms. They also want the government to improve Ghana's whistleblower protection regime. Although legislation exists, its implementation remains weak. Provisions for rewarding whistleblowers whose disclosures lead to resource recovery are particularly ineffective. This undermines the credibility of the entire protection system.
Public procurement emerged as another significant area of concern for the CSOs. Mr. Nyankah pointed to recent work by CSOs uncovering issues like corruption, bribery, and kickbacks. This reinforces the urgent need for stricter scrutiny of procurement methods. Closer compliance with the Public Procurement Act is essential. The current system shows worrying patterns that could facilitate corruption.
Procurement data reviewed by the group revealed that competitive tendering accounted for many activities. However, restricted tendering involved a disproportionately high monetary value. Mr. Nyankah argued that this pattern demands closer scrutiny. Large-value restricted procurement carries higher risks of corruption and poor value for money. This is especially true when justification and oversight are weak.
The CSOs advocate for more open and competitive procurement processes. They also seek stronger compliance mechanisms. Full integration of the Ghana Electronic Procurement System with the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System is another key recommendation. Such integration would link procurement decisions more closely with expenditure authorization. This could strengthen real-time controls and prevent financial mismanagement.
However, technology alone will not solve the problem. The CSOs also want the government to provide training and reliable internet connectivity. Logistical support is necessary for public institutions to use electronic procurement systems effectively. Without proper implementation, digital platforms remain underutilized. This wastes resources and fails to achieve intended transparency goals.
Transparency and citizen oversight are crucial components of the CSOs' proposals. They called for timely publication of information on budget execution, procurement, and public investment. This information must be accessible and understandable to ordinary citizens. Mr. Nyankah cited past monitoring exercises where civil society groups struggled to obtain basic documentation. In one instance, only one contract was provided out of 37 projects monitored. This included projects under the Office of the President.
This limited access to information weakens independent monitoring efforts. These concerns are even more significant as the government increases infrastructure spending. Programs like the Big Push require robust oversight to ensure public funds are used efficiently. The CSOs believe that greater transparency will empower citizens to hold government accountable. This will ultimately lead to better outcomes for all Ghanaians.