Corruption is a complex phenomenon in which individuals entrusted with power abuse their power for private and undue gains. According to Transparency International (2022), corruption encompasses unethical practices like bribery, nepotism, embezzlement, and fraud, as well as state capture, which involves exploiting public resources and institutions for personal gain rather than their intended use. Nye (1967) defines corruption as behaviour that deviates from the formal duties of a public role for private-regarding gains, whether monetary or in status. Rose-Ackerman & Palifka (2016) opine that corruption is widespread in countries with weak institutional frameworks, inadequate accountability mechanisms, and pervasive socio-economic disparities. The issue of corruption not only exists among public officials but also includes the corporate and private sectors, thus making it a global challenge.

The issue of corruption remains one of Ghana’s significant challenges to governance and development. As part of strengthening Ghana’s fight against corruption, key political actors, CSOs, student leaders, and the media, among others, gathered at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra on November 14, 2024, for the Pledge Against Corruption Campaign. The event was a significant landmark in Ghana’s journey toward transparent and accountable governance under the theme ‘Elections and Anti-corruption: What is the Next Government’s Agenda?’. The coalition of civil society organisations championing the initiative included the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), and the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP). This is a clear strategic move to ensure that political aspirants set concrete anti-corruption commitments ahead of the 2024 elections and embed accountability within the political fabric of Ghana right from the outset of the next administration.

The Executive Secretary of GACC, Mrs. Beauty Emefa Narteh, started the proceedings with powerful opening remarks that underlined the strong imperative to integrate anti-corruption provisions within political party manifestos. Her call to action was closely aligned with the event’s core objectives: to protect the integrity of elections, get anti-corruption commitments from the presidential candidates, and build a framework for comprehensive manifesto analysis and accountability. The meeting had strong representation from across Ghana’s political divide, with representatives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Movement For Change (MFC), Convention Peoples Party (CPP), The New Force (TNF), Ghana Union Movement (GUM), and the All Peoples Congress (APC) in attendance to engage in fruitful deliberations on their plans for fighting corruption and campaign financing methods.

A highlight of the gathering was the powerful statement by Ms. Clara Osei Boateng, Governance Advisor of the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), when she bluntly stated, “Nobody is immune to corruption.” This sobering statement reminded us of our universal responsibility to curtail corruption at all levels of society.

The event featured an enlightening panel discussion with distinguished experts in governance and anti-corruption. The panelists were Mrs. Mary Addah, Executive Director of GII; Mr. Franklin Cudjoe, Founder and CEO of IMANI Ghana; Dr. Nana Asantewaa Afadzinu, Executive Director of WACSI; and Dr. David Ofosu Dorte, Founder and Senior Partner at AB AND David Africa. The panel discussion covered empty campaign promises, public apathy towards corruption, and the essential requirement for personal integrity in the battle against corruption. What distinguished this event was its broad-based approach to dialogue. The open forum provided a venue for the different voices from civil society organisations, from students to civil service personnel and party leaders, to contribute to the discussion and seek clarification on various anti-corruption initiatives.

The significance of this campaign extends far beyond the event itself. It represents a systematic approach to enhancing electoral accountability in Ghana through several key mechanisms:

1. Public Commitment: By securing public anticorruption pledges from political aspirants, the campaign creates a tangible basis for holding future leaders accountable.
2. Citizen Engagement: The initiative fosters active citizen participation in anti-corruption efforts, encouraging Ghanaians from all walks of life to take ownership of the fight against corruption.
3. Institutional Collaboration: The partnership between GACC, GII, and ACEP demonstrates the power of institutional cooperation in addressing corruption.
4. Manifesto Analysis: The campaign’s commitment to examining political party manifestos ensures that anti-corruption policies move beyond rhetoric to concrete, actionable plans.

Looking ahead, the Pledge Against Corruption Campaign could be a game-changer in Ghana’s political landscape. The initiative establishes a framework through which political discourse will be monitored and governance strategies reviewed, thus laying the groundwork for continuous anti-corruption efforts beyond the 2024 elections. The campaign’s emphasis on institutional collaboration and citizen engagement gives a broader perspective on the fight against corruption, with top-down policy changes and bottom-up cultural transformation at its core. This campaign could lead to a massive transformation of the political environment in Ghana. It can help create a standard framework for monitoring political dialogues and assessing governance strategies that will lay a foundation for continued anti-corruption initiatives beyond 2024. The campaign appeals to institutional cooperation and citizen participation, bringing a broader perspective to the anti-corruption efforts, which include top-down policy reforms and bottom-up cultural changes as complementary parts.

With Ghana moving closer to the 2024 elections, this initiative points out that the combat against corruption demands more than just political will and more real commitments from all institutional leaders, active citizens, and adequate transparency and accountability systems. Success in this campaign could be a benchmark for Ghana and other African countries striving to strengthen their anti-corruption frameworks. Initiatives like the Pledge Against Corruption Campaign emphasize collective efforts, political will, and citizen participation as crucial prerequisites, which could lead to significant progress toward a corruption-free Ghana. As we progress, the true test will lie in translating these pledges into workable policies that could bring sustainable change into Ghana’s political and social landscape.