Despite Ghana’s investments in anti-corruption laws and institutions, citizens remain unconvinced that corruption is being tackled effectively, Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) Executive Director Sulemana Braimah has said.

Speaking at the forum Restoring Citizens' Trust in the Fight Against Corruption in Ghana: The Role of the Media, Braimah warned of a “growing trust deficit that threatens the very foundation of our democracy.”

“Trust is the cornerstone of any functioning democracy. Without it, even the most well-crafted laws and robust institutions will struggle to deliver meaningful change,” he told participants on June 17, 2026.

Braimah noted that while Ghana has created bodies like CHRAJ, EOCO, the Financial Intelligence Center, and the Office of the Special Prosecutor, plus laws like the Right to Information Act and policies like the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan, public confidence remains low. 

Citing the 2025 Afrobarometer report, he said many Ghanaians believe corruption has increased and trust in anti-corruption efforts is weak. “Perceptions matter profoundly. They shape behavior. When citizens lose trust, they become less likely to report corruption or believe change is possible,” Braimah said.

He stressed that journalism alone cannot solve the crisis. “Exposing corruption is only one part. Accountability requires institutions to act, leaders to show integrity, and citizens to demand change.”

The event, organised by MFWA with CHRAJ, NCCE, and Transparency International Ghana, also marked the close of the 8th Next Generation Investigative Journalism Fellowship. The program is commissioned by BMZ and co-financed by the EU and SECO, implemented by GIZ with Ghana’s Ministry of Finance.

Braimah thanked partners for their “unwavering commitment to advancing transparency, accountability, and active citizenship.”