Low public sector salaries fuel corruption – Kufuor

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has pointed to inadequate salaries in Ghana’s public sector as a key factor driving corruption.

He urged authorities to tackle remuneration issues as part of broader governance reforms.

In an interview with JoyNews, Dr. Kufuor highlighted that rapid technological advancements and the increasing complexity of modern society have also made corrupt practices more sophisticated.

“We are in the era of science and technology. Science keeps researching and refining things, and people who tend to be bright, not all of them will use their brilliance for fair and good purposes. So, sophistication is really deepening corrupt practices,” he said, warning that intelligence and technical skill can be misapplied for personal gain if institutions fail to adapt.

He further stressed that strong systems are essential to detect and address corruption, noting that without ongoing improvements, individuals will continue to exploit weaknesses.

“People will still try to get away with their smartness. A poor remuneration system, which our society somehow finds shy in tackling, is one of the sources of corruption, given our situation,” Dr. Kufuor added.

The former President’s comments underscore the need to address both institutional vulnerabilities and pay structures to enhance accountability and reduce corrupt practices in Ghana.

In addition, Dr. Kufuor proposed the creation of a second chamber of Parliament to complement the current legislative body. He suggested that this chamber be composed of traditional rulers, religious leaders, academics, trade union representatives, and distinguished retired public servants, arguing that Ghana’s existing parliamentary setup is not sufficient to guarantee quality governance.

The proposed chamber would function as a “house of wisdom and experience,” providing independent advice on national issues free from partisan influence.

“I would rather have a second house composed not so much based on democracy, but of identifiable institutions in the land,” Kufuor explained, highlighting the importance of experience and expertise in guiding national policy.

Dr. Kufuor’s remarks emphasize that tackling corruption effectively requires a combination of fair public sector compensation, robust institutional safeguards, and thoughtful reforms to strengthen governance across the country.