The Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Dr. Joseph Whittal, has called on the government and policy makers to rely on credible national data—particularly findings from the Governance Series Wave Reports—and to prioritize citizen participation in policy formulation as a means of effectively tackling bribery and corruption in the country.
Delivering his opening remarks as Chairperson of the African Statistics Day 2025 celebration and the launch of the Governance Series Wave 2 Report, Dr. Whittal stressed that Sustainable Development Goal 16 remains central to Ghana’s governance reform agenda. According to him, “SDG 16 seeks to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, ensure access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.”
He emphasized that strengthening democratic processes depends heavily on how government engages its citizens. “Amplifying citizens’ political voices is essential in shaping public policies and ensuring accountability of public officials and state institutions,” he said, urging authorities to integrate citizens’ lived experiences into governance assessments. He added that the new Wave 2 Report provides timely insights that should guide reforms: “The data speaks clearly—Ghanaians want transparency, fairness, and responsive leadership.”
The event also featured contributions from governance experts and civil society leaders. Speaking on the persistent challenge of corruption, the Executive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Rasheed Draman, described corruption as a structural barrier to national progress. “Corruption remains one of the biggest obstacles not only to service delivery but to human development,” he warned. “It is a national challenge requiring urgent, coordinated action among state institutions, civil society, and citizens themselves.” Dr. Draman underscored the need for Parliament to use empirical governance data to strengthen oversight and ensure that public resources are used efficiently.
The Executive Secretary of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), Madam Beauty Emefa Nartey, also highlighted the central role of governance in the country’s development aspirations. She noted, “Good governance forms the foundation of sustainable development. Without transparency and integrity, our development efforts will continue to face setbacks.” She reaffirmed GACC’s commitment, stating that civil society organizations would continue to advocate for reforms that promote “openness, accountability, and ethical leadership across all sectors.”
