Theoretical Perspectives and Explanations of Political Corruption in Ghana

Year 2021, , 23 - 45, 21.03.2021

Andoh Rıchard

https://doi.org/10.48064/equinox.804449

Cited By: 4

Abstract

Ghana is brandished as one of the most politically stable democracies in Africa. The country has conducted seven successful elections without any upheaval. There have been various policies and strategies to combat corruption since the country assumed its democratic status. Corruption has been one of the significant developmental challenges to democratic stability and legitimacy, social and economic development of the country. Undoubtedly, somewhat attempt to understand completely the development problems facing democracy especially in emerging countries (including Ghana), must confront squarely with wanton corruption problems. Efforts to tweak the budding contagion by successive administration have become moribund. With hindsight, practically, and with no exception, political heads who have assumed office and claiming as surgeons have left the office as patients. What are the dynamics triggering unbridled political corruption and why becoming pervasive and intractable? The article grills political corruption in Ghana in the context of Soft State theory, clientelism, Prebendalism, and Patrimonialism. The paper contends that these theories are not only credible for understanding the predicaments of African countries however it also provides relevant justifications for the ravaging and unbridled political corruption, particularly in Ghana. The paper clinches that to address the problem of political corruption in Ghana concrete actions which is probably one of the ways to go is to strengthen legislation -working according to the stipulations of the constitution with regards to avoiding conflicting legislation, and stopping the appointment of cronies to head business institutions and this will go a long way to reduce corrupt tendencies.

Keywords

Corruption Clientelism Prebendalism, Corruption Clientelism Prebendalism, Corruption Clientelism Prebendalism, Corruption Clientelism Prebendalism

Supporting Institution

University of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic

References

• ACBR. (2018). Africa’s Top 5 most politically-stable countries.https://www.inonafrica.com/2018/02/08/africas-top-5-politicallystable-countries/
• ACBR. (2018). Africa’s Top 5 most politically-stable countries.https://www.inonafrica.com/2018/02/08/africas-top-5-politicallystable-countries/
• Akosah-Sarpong, K. (2008).The Corruption of Jerry Rawlings. Available at:https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/The Corruption-of-Jerry-Rawlings-150169
• Akosah-Sarpong, K. (2008).The Corruption of Jerry Rawlings. Available at:https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/The Corruption-of-Jerry-Rawlings-150169
• Anti-Corruption Authorities (ACA). 2018. Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice
• Anti-Corruption Authorities (ACA). 2018. Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice
• Apaack, C. (2009). Massive Corruption Made Ex-President Kufuor Unfit For Mo Ibrahim Award Available at: https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/MassiveCorruption-Made-Ex-President-Kufuor-Unfit-For-Mo-IbrahimAward-170840
• Apaack, C. (2009). Massive Corruption Made Ex-President Kufuor Unfit For Mo Ibrahim Award Available at: https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/MassiveCorruption-Made-Ex-President-Kufuor-Unfit-For-Mo-IbrahimAward-170840
• Ayee, J.A. (2016). The Roots of Corruption: The Ghanaian Enquiry Revisited. Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Ghana.
• Ayee, J.A. (2016). The Roots of Corruption: The Ghanaian Enquiry Revisited. Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Ghana.
• BBC News. (2003). Ghanaians jailed for rice fraud. Available at:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2984799.stm
• BBC News. (2003). Ghanaians jailed for rice fraud. Available at:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2984799.stm
• BBC News. (2005). Ghana MP in US ‘heroin’ arrest’’. BBC African News website.
• BBC News. (2005). Ghana MP in US ‘heroin’ arrest’’. BBC African News website.
• BBC. November 22, 2005. Retrieved April 22, 2007
• BBC. November 22, 2005. Retrieved April 22, 2007
• BBC News. (2013). Ghana's Victoria Hammah sacked over $1m claim. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-24864436
• BBC News. (2013). Ghana's Victoria Hammah sacked over $1m claim. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-24864436
• Benson, I. (2003). Ghana: Three NDC Appointees Jailed Over Quality Grain Scandal. Available at: https://allafrica.com/stories/200304290273.html
• Benson, I. (2003). Ghana: Three NDC Appointees Jailed Over Quality Grain Scandal. Available at: https://allafrica.com/stories/200304290273.html
• Bertelsmann, S. (2018). Ghana Country Report
• Bertelsmann, S. (2018). Ghana Country Report
• Boateng, C. (2018). Ghana United against Corruption – National AntiCorruption Action Plan. Graphic Online.
• Boateng, C. (2018). Ghana United against Corruption – National AntiCorruption Action Plan. Graphic Online.
• Brinkerhoff, D.W. (2000). Assessing political will for anti‐corruption efforts: an analytic framework Vol. 20
• Brinkerhoff, D.W. (2000). Assessing political will for anti‐corruption efforts: an analytic framework Vol. 20
• Brobbey, C.A.B. (2016). Neopatrimonialism and Democratic Stability in Africa: A Case of Ghana’s 1992 Democratization. European Scientific Journal December 2013 vol.2 ISSN: 1857 – 7881
• Brobbey, C.A.B. (2016). Neopatrimonialism and Democratic Stability in Africa: A Case of Ghana’s 1992 Democratization. European Scientific Journal December 2013 vol.2 ISSN: 1857 – 7881
• Business Day. (2016). Ghana’s Mahama Cleared of Corruption over Car Gift.
• Business Day. (2016). Ghana’s Mahama Cleared of Corruption over Car Gift.
• Cheeseman, N., Lynch, G., and Willis, J. (2016). Ghana shows a troubling willingness to accept Political corruption, our recent survey shows. Washington Post.
• Cheeseman, N., Lynch, G., and Willis, J. (2016). Ghana shows a troubling willingness to accept Political corruption, our recent survey shows. Washington Post.
• CHRAJ. (2018). About Us
• CHRAJ. (2018). About Us
• Daily Graphic. (2006). The ‘Hotel Kufour’ Palaver. No conflict of Interest
• Daily Graphic. (2006). The ‘Hotel Kufour’ Palaver. No conflict of Interest
• Dudley, B.J. (1973). Instability and Political Order: Politics and Crisis in Nigeria. Ibadan: Ibadan University Press.
• Dudley, B.J. (1973). Instability and Political Order: Politics and Crisis in Nigeria. Ibadan: Ibadan University Press.
• Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). 2018
• Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). 2018
• Freedom House. (2016). Freedom in the World: Ghana.
• Freedom House. (2016). Freedom in the World: Ghana.
• GAN Integrity. (2018). Ghana Corruption Report.
• GAN Integrity. (2018). Ghana Corruption Report.
• GBN. (2009). Tsikata rejects Kufuor’s pardon but gets out of prison. Available at: https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2009/01/12/tsikata-rejectskufuors-pardon-but-gets-out-of-prison/
• GBN. (2009). Tsikata rejects Kufuor’s pardon but gets out of prison. Available at: https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2009/01/12/tsikata-rejectskufuors-pardon-but-gets-out-of-prison/
• Ghana Palaver. (2005). Hotel Kufuor: President Bought it, Not Son. Available at:https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Hotel -Kufuor-President-Bought-it-Not-Son-82156
• Ghana Palaver. (2005). Hotel Kufuor: President Bought it, Not Son. Available at:https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Hotel -Kufuor-President-Bought-it-Not-Son-82156
• Ghana Web. (2017). Police, judges Most Corrupt in Ghana.
• Ghana Web. (2017). Police, judges Most Corrupt in Ghana.
• GII. (2017). Opuni caused ¢2.1bn loss in 3 years through 3 fertilizer contracts – State. Available at: https://www.tighana.org/news/trendingcorruption-news/opuni-caused-2-1bn-loss-in-3-years through-3- fertilizer-contracts-state-2/
• GII. (2017). Opuni caused ¢2.1bn loss in 3 years through 3 fertilizer contracts – State. Available at: https://www.tighana.org/news/trendingcorruption-news/opuni-caused-2-1bn-loss-in-3-years through-3- fertilizer-contracts-state-2/
• GNA. (2008). Tsikata jailed five years. Available at: https://www.modernghana.com/news/170475/tsikata-jailed-fiveyears.html
• GNA. (2008). Tsikata jailed five years. Available at: https://www.modernghana.com/news/170475/tsikata-jailed-fiveyears.html
• Goldthorpe, J.E. (1975). The Sociology of the Third World: Disparity and Involvement, London, New York Cambridge University Press.
• Goldthorpe, J.E. (1975). The Sociology of the Third World: Disparity and Involvement, London, New York Cambridge University Press.
• Gyekye, K. (1997). Political Corruption: A Philosophical Analysis of a Moral Problem. Accra: Sankofa Publishing Company, Ghana
• Gyekye, K. (1997). Political Corruption: A Philosophical Analysis of a Moral Problem. Accra: Sankofa Publishing Company, Ghana
• Gyimah-Boadi, E. (2002). Confronting Corruption in Ghana and Africa. Briefing Paper Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDDGHANA), Volume 4 Number 2.
• Gyimah-Boadi, E. (2002). Confronting Corruption in Ghana and Africa. Briefing Paper Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDDGHANA), Volume 4 Number 2.
• Jackson, M., Kirby, E., Smith, R., &Thompson L. (1994). Sovereign Eyes: Legislators’ Perception of Corruption. Journal of Commonwealth and Comparative Politics, 32(1): 54-67.
• Jackson, M., Kirby, E., Smith, R., &Thompson L. (1994). Sovereign Eyes: Legislators’ Perception of Corruption. Journal of Commonwealth and Comparative Politics, 32(1): 54-67.
• Kaufmann, D. (2005). ‘‘Legal Corruption’’ (PDF). World Bank. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
• Kaufmann, D. (2005). ‘‘Legal Corruption’’ (PDF). World Bank. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
• Klitgaard, R. (1991). Political Corruption: Strategies for Reform. Journal of Democracy, 2(4): 86-100.
• Klitgaard, R. (1991). Political Corruption: Strategies for Reform. Journal of Democracy, 2(4): 86-100.
• Kojo, E. (2017). Here are the politicians accused of corrupt practices in Ghana. Available at: https://www.pulse.com.gh/news/politics/allegationshere-are-the-politicians-accused-of-corrupt-practices-inghana/dj3fg5v
• Kojo, E. (2017). Here are the politicians accused of corrupt practices in Ghana. Available at: https://www.pulse.com.gh/news/politics/allegationshere-are-the-politicians-accused-of-corrupt-practices-inghana/dj3fg5v
• Koswe. (2018). Ghana Electoral Commission Corrupt. The Zambian Observer.
• Koswe. (2018). Ghana Electoral Commission Corrupt. The Zambian Observer.
• Kukutschka, R. (2014). Overview of Corruption in Ghana. Transparency International.
• Kukutschka, R. (2014). Overview of Corruption in Ghana. Transparency International.
• Le Vine, V. (1975). Corruption in Ghana. Indiana University Press on behalf of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University. Transition, No. 47 (1975), pp. 48-50+52-61. Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/2934942 Accessed: 28-03-2020 21:45 UTC
• Le Vine, V. (1975). Corruption in Ghana. Indiana University Press on behalf of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University. Transition, No. 47 (1975), pp. 48-50+52-61. Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/2934942 Accessed: 28-03-2020 21:45 UTC
• Medard, J.-F. (1996). The Neopatrimonial State: Genesis and Contemporary Trajectories’’, The University of Ottawa Press.
• Medard, J.-F. (1996). The Neopatrimonial State: Genesis and Contemporary Trajectories’’, The University of Ottawa Press.
• Morris, S.D. (1991), Corruption and Politics in Contemporary Mexico. University of Alabama Press, Tuscaloosa
• Morris, S.D. (1991), Corruption and Politics in Contemporary Mexico. University of Alabama Press, Tuscaloosa
• Myjoyonline. (2007). Abodakpi jailed 10 years. Available at: https://www.myjoyonline.com/news/abodakpi-jailed-10-years/
• Myjoyonline. (2007). Abodakpi jailed 10 years. Available at: https://www.myjoyonline.com/news/abodakpi-jailed-10-years/
• Myrdal, G. (1968), Asian Drama. An Inquiry into the Poverty of Nations, 3 Vols. New York: Pantheon
• Myrdal, G. (1968), Asian Drama. An Inquiry into the Poverty of Nations, 3 Vols. New York: Pantheon
• Myrdal, G. (1970) The ‘Soft State’ in Undeveloped Countries. In Unfashionable Economics: Essays in Honour of Lord Balogh, edited by Paul Streeten. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson.
• Myrdal, G. (1970) The ‘Soft State’ in Undeveloped Countries. In Unfashionable Economics: Essays in Honour of Lord Balogh, edited by Paul Streeten. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson.
• Nye, J.S. (1967). Corruption and Political Development: A Cost-Benefit Analysis. American Political Science Review, LXI (2): 417-427.
• Nye, J.S. (1967). Corruption and Political Development: A Cost-Benefit Analysis. American Political Science Review, LXI (2): 417-427.
• OCCRP. (2019). Ghana Loses US$3 billion to Corruption a Year. Available at: https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/10498-ghana-loses-us-3-billion-tocorruption-a-year
• OCCRP. (2019). Ghana Loses US$3 billion to Corruption a Year. Available at: https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/10498-ghana-loses-us-3-billion-tocorruption-a-year
• Okello, C. (2018). High Hopes in Ghana after New Anti-Corruption Tsar Named. RFI.
• Okello, C. (2018). High Hopes in Ghana after New Anti-Corruption Tsar Named. RFI.
• Osaghae, E.E. (1995). Structural Adjustment and Ethnicity in Nigeria. Research Report No. 98 Nordiska Afrikainstituet.
• Osaghae, E.E. (1995). Structural Adjustment and Ethnicity in Nigeria. Research Report No. 98 Nordiska Afrikainstituet.
• Osei-Amoako, Y. (2018). Reflections on Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor. Ghana Web.
• Osei-Amoako, Y. (2018). Reflections on Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor. Ghana Web.
• Peters, J. G. (1978). Political Corruption in America: A Search for Definitions and or A Theory or… The American Political Science Review, 72(3): 974-984.
• Peters, J. G. (1978). Political Corruption in America: A Search for Definitions and or A Theory or… The American Political Science Review, 72(3): 974-984.
• Rahman, K. (2018). Overview of corruption and anti-corruption in Ghana: U4 Anti-Corruption Helpdesk, CHR. Michelsen Institute.
• Rahman, K. (2018). Overview of corruption and anti-corruption in Ghana: U4 Anti-Corruption Helpdesk, CHR. Michelsen Institute.
• Republic of Ghana. (2011). National Anti-Corruption Action Plan, 2012-2021
• Republic of Ghana. (2011). National Anti-Corruption Action Plan, 2012-2021
• Richard, A. J. (1989). Democracy and Prebendal Politics in Nigeria: The Rise and Fall of the Second Republic: The International Journal of African Historical Studies, 1989, Vol. 22, No. 3 pp. 500-504
• Richard, A. J. (1989). Democracy and Prebendal Politics in Nigeria: The Rise and Fall of the Second Republic: The International Journal of African Historical Studies, 1989, Vol. 22, No. 3 pp. 500-504
• Robert, W. (1987). Political Corruption in Africa, Aldershot.
• Robert, W. (1987). Political Corruption in Africa, Aldershot.
• Rogow, A. & Lasswell, H. (1963). Power, Corruption, and Rectitude. Englewood: Cliffs, pp. 132-133.
• Rogow, A. & Lasswell, H. (1963). Power, Corruption, and Rectitude. Englewood: Cliffs, pp. 132-133.
• Seteolu, D. (2005). Historical Trajectories of Elections in Nigeria: The State, Political Elite, and Electoral Politics. In: Godwin Onu and Abubakar Momoh (Eds.): Elections and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria. Lagos: Triad Associates, pp. 34
• Seteolu, D. (2005). Historical Trajectories of Elections in Nigeria: The State, Political Elite, and Electoral Politics. In: Godwin Onu and Abubakar Momoh (Eds.): Elections and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria. Lagos: Triad Associates, pp. 34
• Smith, B.C. (2007). Good Governance and Development, Palgrave Macmillan.
• Smith, B.C. (2007). Good Governance and Development, Palgrave Macmillan.
• Tornyi, E. (2018) ‘‘Read the 27 charges against Dr Stephen Opuni’’. Retrieved 2018-08-18.
• Tornyi, E. (2018) ‘‘Read the 27 charges against Dr Stephen Opuni’’. Retrieved 2018-08-18.
• Transparency International. (2019). Corruption Perception Index.
• Transparency International. (2019). Corruption Perception Index.
• Transparency International. (2017). Corruption Perceptions Index.
• Transparency International. (2017). Corruption Perceptions Index.
• US Department of State. (2017). Ghana Human Rights Report.
• US Department of State. (2017). Ghana Human Rights Report.
• Werlin, H.H., (1972).The Roots of Corruption - The Ghanaian Enquiry. Journal of Modern African Studies, Vol. 10, No. 2 (Jul. 1972), pp. 247-266 Cambridge University Press Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/159965 Accessed: 28-03-2020 21:51 UTC
• Werlin, H.H., (1972).The Roots of Corruption - The Ghanaian Enquiry. Journal of Modern African Studies, Vol. 10, No. 2 (Jul. 1972), pp. 247-266 Cambridge University Press Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/159965 Accessed: 28-03-2020 21:51 UTC
• World Bank. 2016. Worldwide Governance Indicators.
• World Bank. 2016. Worldwide Governance Indicators.
• Yankah, K. (2008). Cultural Influences on Governance, in Ghana: Governance in the Fourth Republic, Ed. Baffour Agyemang-Duah, Tema: Digibooks.
• Yankah, K. (2008). Cultural Influences on Governance, in Ghana: Governance in the Fourth Republic, Ed. Baffour Agyemang-Duah, Tema: Digibooks.