Kofi Bentil, a senior lawyer and Vice President of IMANI Africa, has sounded the alarm on Ghana's persistent bribery problem, attributing it to a culture that has become embedded in the delivery of government services. Speaking on JoyNews' Newsfile on Saturday, August 8, Mr Bentil argued that reducing bribery will require more than increasing salaries.
A Culture of Bribery
Ghana's persistent bribery problem cannot be blamed on the salaries of public officials, according to Mr Bentil. He described it as a culture that has become embedded in the delivery of government services, saying "We have generated a culture of bribery and it's not about people's salary. It's a culture of bribery." This culture is not limited to any one institution, but is a widespread issue that affects many areas of public life.
Digital Solutions
Mr Bentil believes that the country must combine strict enforcement with the depersonalisation of government services to reduce opportunities for officials and citizens to engage in corrupt transactions. He argued that removing unnecessary face-to-face interactions through digital systems would make it more difficult for officials to demand or solicit unofficial payments. The Ghana Card system, which is designed to identify citizens and verify their identity, is seen as a key tool in reducing bribery opportunities.
A Path Forward
Mr Bentil identified the depersonalisation of government services as one of the most practical ways to tackle bribery. He explained that many bribery opportunities arise because citizens are required to interact directly with officials to access basic government services. By removing these interactions and making services more accessible through digital platforms, Ghana can significantly reduce the opportunities for bribery. For instance, driver's licence and passport applications should be increasingly accessible through digital platforms, allowing citizens to fill in their information online and have their applications processed without needing to visit government offices.
The Way Forward
Ghana already has the technological foundation to significantly reduce such interactions through the Ghana Card system. However, implementing digital solutions will require a concerted effort from both government and citizens. As Mr Bentil noted, "It starts with Ghana Card. It starts with identifying who is a citizen or not, properly categorised." By working together, Ghana can change not only the behaviour of individuals but also the systems that create opportunities for corrupt transactions in the first place.
Source: Joy Online
