Patterns and Prevalence of Corruption in Ghana's Criminal Justice System

Abstract

This chapter discusses patterns and prevalence of corruption within Ghana’s criminal justice system (CJS). Corruption is a topical issue across the world, with its prevalence having serious consequences for policing, rule of law, security, and development of nations. This is particularly so when CJSs or institutions that are to ensure compliance with the law and, in some cases, control or prevent corruption are affected themselves. Several studies have reported that citizens of developing countries in Africa and elsewhere perceived their countries’ criminal justice institutions, especially the police and judiciary, to be the most corrupt public institutions. However, little research has considered the views of criminal justice officials themselves regarding corruption within CJSs or institutions. The current study explores the prevalence or concentration of corruption within Ghana’s CJS by interviewing 45 criminal justice personnel and 15 anti-corruption officials across three regions: Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Upper East. Results show that majority of participants perceived corruption as a serious problem and most prevalent in the police compared to the judiciary and Attorney-General’s Department. In addition, the most perceived corrupt criminal justice process was the bail granting stage. The implications of these findings are discussed.