The 2020 general election was transparent, free, and fair, according to a report provided by the US Department of State in its 2021 Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.
Despite violent incidents at several of the polling stations, the study claims that the outcome, which saw President Akufo-Addo win a second term to lead Ghanaians, was quite genuine.
Ghana's Presidential and Parliamentary election results represented the will of the people, according to a study issued on April 12, 2022.
"Both domestic and foreign observers deemed the presidential and legislative elections in December 2020 to be transparent, inclusive, credible, and representative of the people's will."
"Some observers expressed concerns about the abuse of incumbency, the lack of enforcement of campaign finance restrictions, and uneven access to state-owned assets," according to the report.
Corruption is still rampant in Ghana, according to the research.
"Officials routinely participated in corrupt acts with impunity," according to the study.
It further stated that, despite the fact that laws specify consequences for corrupt officials, the government seldom carries them out.
"According to media and NGOs, corruption was widespread in all areas of government, including recruitment into the security forces," the study stated.
The US State Department stated that bribery is endemic in the country's public sector, citing the Auditor General's June Report.
Huge quantities of public monies have been lost as a result of this. "The honorary consul general and the Ghanaian consulate in Washington, D.C. were unable to account for $355,000 in visa fees." More than $3.16 million was misappropriated by the Free Senior High School Secretariat.
"After leaving office, a former Minister of Tourism kept three government vehicles for personal use." Corrupt behaviors resulted in $340 million in financial mismanagement, according to the audit, which included "misapplication and misappropriation of money, theft, and procurement mishandling."
Corruption is a serious issue in the country, despite the fact that governments have implemented numerous efforts to combat it.
To combat corruption, President Akufo-Addo established the Special Prosecutor's Office in 2018.
However, according to the US State Department, "no corruption investigation initiated by that office has resulted in a conviction since the first special prosecutor entered office in 2018."
"One investigator and one prosecutor, both seconded from other offices, were on the new special prosecutor's team when he assumed office in August."