Afrobarometer Round 10 survey has identified the Ghana Armed Forces as the nation’s most trusted public institution, even as trust in many other state institutions has seen a decline.
In addition to the Ghana Armed Forces, religious leaders, traditional leaders, and non-governmental/civil society organizations were ranked among the top five trusted institutions.
This demonstrates continued faith in institutions perceived as community-centred and relatively apolitical.
However, the survey reveals an overall decline in trust in key state institutions since 2022 and an even steeper drop compared to a decade ago in 2012.
Among public officials, the police, the Office of the Presidency, tax officials, Parliament members, judges and magistrates were widely perceived as the most corrupt.
Conducted by the pan-African, independent research network, the survey reflects Ghanaians’ perceptions regarding trust, corruption and key issues ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Notably, 74% of Ghanaians believe that corruption increased “somewhat” or “a lot” over the past year, though this represents a slight improvement-a three percentage-point decline-from the 2022 survey.
However, confidence in reporting corruption remains low, with only 26% of respondents feeling they can report corruption without fear of retaliation, down four percentage points from the previous survey.
Despite these challenges, support for democratic elections remains strong, with most Ghanaians favouring elections as the best way to select leaders.
Yet, the survey indicates a gradual rise in the number of people open to alternative methods of leadership selection, perhaps reflecting growing frustration with current governance.
Looking back at the 2020 general election, six in 10 citizens (60%) believe it was “completely
free and fair” or “free and fair with minor problems,” indicating relative confidence in the electoral process.
This will likely play a role in shaping attitudes toward the 2024 elections, where voters suggest that a candidate’s honesty (90%), character (88%), and campaign promises (59%) will be the key factors influencing their choices.
The Afrobarometer Round 10 survey underscores the need for Ghana’s leaders to address public concerns around corruption and rebuild trust in state institutions.
The Ghana Armed Forces’ high trust ranking is a testament to the value Ghanaians place on integrity and neutrality in public service, qualities that other institutions may need to strive toward.
As the 2024 elections approach, candidates may need to prioritise transparency and deliver on campaign promises to bridge the trust gap.
The survey’s findings also highlight a call to action for leadership reforms, stronger anti-corruption measures, and enhanced accountability-factors critical to restoring public faith and strengthening Ghana’s democracy.
Afrobarometer’s findings provide a sobering yet hopeful outlook on the nation’s governance, reminding leaders that earning the people’s trust will require tangible efforts to address the pressing issues of corruption, integrity, and transparency.
Results of an Afrobarometer survey has revealed that Ghana’s Army is regarded as the most trusted public institution.#3NewsGH pic.twitter.com/FZWlmmdxqN
— #3NewsGH (@3NewsGH) October 28, 2024
