The study points out that corruption taxes the poor, increases transaction costs and reduces the level of economic activity. Similarly, a study in Tanzania shows that corruption increases the cost of living by 25 percent. Corruption is one of the cancers that have preyed on Africa's misfortunes, driving us even further into economic mismanagement and despair. The 2000 Corruption Perception Index, just released by Transparency International, shows five African countries to be among the top ten most corrupt countries in the world with Nigeria reclaiming the number one position from Cameroon. Ridding ourselves of this cancer must be a key priority in the 21st Century.
Public perceptions are a key barometer of governance.
The Ghana Institute of Economic Affairs has conducted two revealing studies - in 1995 and in 1999. But there are also worrying signs - such as the declining perception of political representation, the high perception that political parties do not have an equal playing field and perhaps most worrying of all, the fact that two thirds of Ghanaians feel that their quality of life has not improved. If we revert to our earlier figures, this is hardly surprising. This brings us back to the crossroads - to the choices for the future. An escalation in ethnic conflict and sporadic government collapse discouraging private investment, beginning in west Africa, spreading to central and east Africa.