Trust in the Electoral Commission (EC), the courts, and the police has reached record lows, according to the latest Afrobarometer survey. The data, spanning from 1999 to 2022, paints a troubling picture of declining public confidence in these key institutions.
The EC, which once enjoyed a robust trust level of 75% in 2005, now garners the confidence of only 33% of Ghanaians. This is a significant drop from its initial 63% trust rating in 1999, indicating a severe erosion of faith in the electoral body over the years.
Similarly, the judiciary has experienced a marked decline in public trust. In 2005, 62% of respondents had confidence in the judicial system. However, this figure has steadily decreased, reaching a new low of 36% in 2022, signaling growing skepticism about the courts’ integrity and effectiveness.
The police, often seen as the primary enforcers of law and order, have not been spared this decline. Trust in the police peaked at 64% in 2005 but has since plummeted to just 28% in 2022, reflecting widespread public dissatisfaction.
This downward trend continues despite the efforts of IGP George Akufo Dampare to improve the police’s image.
These Afrobarometer findings underscore a worrying trend of diminishing confidence in institutions vital to democracy and the rule of law.
Afrobarometer, based in Accra, Ghana, is a pan-African research network assessing public attitudes on economic, political, and social issues. Surveys are conducted across over 40 African countries in partnership with regional institutions.
It covers 21 topics, including democracy, governance, and social capital, through face-to-face interviews. Founded in 1999 by professors from the University of Cape Town, Michigan State University, and CDD Ghana, Afrobarometer has consistently ranked highly for institutional collaboration.
