The Role of Spirituality, Cultural Traditions, and Personal Values in Corrupt Practices within Ghana’s Governmental Institutions

https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.6.1.14

Authors

Keywords:

Cultural-Traditions, Corrupt Practices, Governmental Institutions, Personal Values, pirituality, Ghana

Abstract

Spirituality, personal values, cultural norms, and traditional beliefs are essential to the everyday existence of Ghanaians. This paper is aimed at investigating the influence of spirituality, cultural-traditions and personal values on corrupt practices in Ghana’s Governmental Institutions. This study employed the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). This TPB is to examine how corrupt actions are influenced by the interaction of individual beliefs including spirituality or personal values, social influences such as traditional or cultural norms, and institutional practices. The study used both quantitative and qualitative approaches with questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to collect data. The paper employed a descriptive research design complimented by an exploratory design. With a target population of five thousand (5000) individuals constituting both managerial and non-managerial employees of the public services in Ghana. A non-probability sampling technique with a purposive and convenience sampling was adopted to select a sample size of three hundred (300) respondents.  Data was analyzed using SPSS Multiple Linear Regression model with a stepwise method. The findings of the study suggest that, corruption in the public office is a conduct that deviates from the normal obligations of a public role because of financial or status gains. Corruption is a prevalent occurrence in Ghana. People’s spirituality does not prevent them from being corrupt. People’s moral and ethical values never helped them to be free from corruption, whether Christian or Muslim does not matter people will still bribe and be corrupt every day in their public life. However, some respondents strongly argued that ‘the fear of God can help reduce corruption than ethics,’ ‘Spirituality, personal values, cultural-traditions and ethics influences the level of corruption. In the final model with an R2 of 25.9% all two predictor variables thus Spirituality or Cultural-Traditions and Personal Values on Corrupt Practices were statistically significant. In conclusion, the null Hypothesis that there is no positive relationship between spirituality or cultural-traditions and personal values on corrupt practices in Ghana’s Governmental Institutions was rejected. Hence, there is a positive influence of spirituality, cultural-traditions and personal values on corrupt practices in Ghana’s public institutions. The paper recommends that, establish and mandate training for all tiers of government personnel that underscore the need for honesty and integrity. Facilitate the reporting of misconduct in a secure and confidential manner. This system must have legislative protections to allow individuals to report misbehaviour without fear of retribution. Lastly, establish initiatives to acknowledge and motivate public servants for exemplary ethical conduct.

Dimensions

Abban-Ampiah, G., Yobanya, J. M., & Ofori-Dankwa, J. (2020). African traditional ethical values: Illustrations from the Akan context in Ghana and business implications. In African virtue ethics traditions for business and management (pp. 42-63). Edward Elgar Publishing.

https://doi.org/10.4337/9781789905960.00010 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781789905960.00010

Adam, K., Tayviah, M. M., & Bismark, O. A. (2024). The Impact of Religious Diversity on Socio-Ethical Behaviour: Case Study of the Kotei Community in Ghana. Asian Research Journal of Arts & Social Sciences, 22(4), 13-22. https://doi.org/10.9734/arjass/2024/v22i4526 DOI: https://doi.org/10.9734/arjass/2024/v22i4526

Addo, A., & Avgerou, C. (2021). Information Technology and Government Corruption in Developing Countries: Evidence from Ghana Customs. MIS Q., 45(4), 1833-1862. https://doi.org/10.25300/MISQ/2021/14838 DOI: https://doi.org/10.25300/MISQ/2021/14838

Afrilsah, M. (2024). Investigating the role of religion in shaping moral values and social norms. Mahogany Journal De Social, 1(1), 29-36.

Ahmed, A., Arshad, M. A., Mahmood, A., & Akhtar, S. (2019). The influence of spiritual values on employee's helping behavior: the moderating role of Islamic work ethic. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion, 16(3), 235-263. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766086.2019.1572529 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14766086.2019.1572529

Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179-211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T

Al Frijat, Y. S., Albawwat, I. E., & Elamer, A. A. (2024). Exploring the mediating role of corporate social responsibility in the connection between board competence and corporate financial performance amidst global uncertainties. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 31(2), 1079-1095. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.2623 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.2623

Amagnya, M. A. (2024). The relationship between the media and corruption: perspectives of Ghanaian justice and anti-corruption officials. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 44(7/8), 689-705. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-02-2024-0082 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-02-2024-0082

Anyan, F., Andoh-Arthur, J., Adjei, S. B., & Akotia, C. S. (2024). Mental health problems, interpersonal trust, and socio-cultural correlates of corruption perception in Ghana. Frontiers in public health, 12, 469-579. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1269579 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1269579

Astrachan, J. H., Binz Astrachan, C., Campopiano, G., & Baù, M. (2020). Values, spirituality and religion: Family business and the roots of sustainable ethical behavior. Journal of Business Ethics, 163(4), 637-645. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-019-04392-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-019-04392-5

Ataribanam, S. (2024). Do Internal and External Control Systems Foster Accountability Practices in Public Institutions in Ghana?. African Quarterly Social Science Review, 1(4), 149-163. https://doi.org/10.51867/AQSSR.1.4.14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.51867/AQSSR.1.4.14

Ataribanam, S. (2024). The Factors Accounting for the Weak Commitment to Implement Good Corporate Governance Practices in Public Institutions in Upper East Region Ghana. African Journal of Empirical Research, 5(4), 1161-1178. https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.5.4.95 DOI: https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.5.4.95

Auditor-General's Report. (2010). Public accounts of Ghana. Ministry of finance and other agencies of central Government, Ghana. Parliamentary Press Corp, Accra.

Auditor-General's Report. (2014). Public accounts of Ghana. Ministry of finance and other agencies of central Government, Ghana. Parliamentary Press Corp, Accra.

Auditor-General's Report. (2017). Public accounts of Ghana. Ministry of finance and other agencies of central Government, Boards and corporations. Ghana. Parliamentary Press Corp, Accra.

Auditor-General's Report. (2018). Performance audit reports, public accounts of Ghana; Ministry of finance and other agencies of central Government, Ghana. Ghana Publishing Company, Accra.

Auditor-General's Report. (2019). Performance audit reports, public accounts of Ghana; Ministry of finance and other agencies of central Government, Ghana. Ghana Publishing Company, Accra.

Auditor-General's Report. (2021). Public accounts of Ghana. Ministry of finance and other agencies of central Government, Ghana. Ghana Publishing Company, Accra.

Auditor-General's Report. (2023). Public accounts of Ghana; Ministry of finance and other agencies of central Government, Boards and corporations. Ghana Publishing Company, Accra.

Ayee, J. R. A (2016). Improving Governance in the Public Sector in Ghana. Sub- Saharan Publishers.

Bandari, V. (2023). Enterprise data security measures: a comparative review of effectiveness and risks across different industries and organization types. International Journal of Business Intelligence and Big Data Analytics, 6(1), 1-11.

Bauhr, M., Charron, N., & Wängnerud, L. (2019). Exclusion or interests? Why females in elected office reduce petty and grand corruption. European Journal of Political Research, 58(4), 1043-1065.

https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6765.12300 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6765.12300

Benito, B. (2023). Accountability and corruption, Europe. In Global encyclopedia of public administration, public policy, and governance (pp. 52-60). Cham: Springer International Publishing, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66252-3_2291 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66252-3_2291

Black, E. L., Burton, F. G., & Cieslewicz, J. K. (2022). Improving ethics: extending the theory of planned behavior to include moral disengagement. Journal of Business Ethics, 181(4), 945-978.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-021-04896-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-021-04896-z

Boamah, E. F., Watson, V., Amoako, C., Grooms, W., Osei, D., Osei Kwadwo, V., Nyamekye, A. B., Adamu, K., & Appiah, G. K. (2022). Planning corruption or corrupting planning? Journal of the American Planning Association, 88(3), 377-391. https://doi.org/10.1080/01944363.2021.1987969 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01944363.2021.1987969

Brown, J. E., Van Mulukom, V., Charles, S. J., & Farias, M. (2023). Do you need religion to enjoy the benefits of Church services? Social bonding, morality and quality of life among religious and secular congregations. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 15(2), 308. https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000447 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000447

Chang, Z., Rusu, V., & Kohler, J. C. (2021). The Global Fund: why anti-corruption, transparency and accountability matter. Globalization and Health, 17, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-021-00753-w DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-021-00753-w

Churchill, G. A. (1979). A paradigm for developing better measures of marketing constructs. Routledge. New York. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224377901600110, https://doi.org/10.2307/3150876 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/002224377901600110

Davidescu, A. A., Manta, E. M., Stoica-Ungureanu, A. T., & Anton, M. (2022). Could religiosity and religion influence the tax morale of individuals? An empirical analysis based on variable selection methods. Mathematics, 10(23), 78-97. https://doi.org/10.3390/math10234497 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/math10234497

Financial Times. (2009). Report on financial matters in Ghana. Accessed on 22/02/2022 from https://www.ft.com.

Ghana Integrity Initiative Report. (2011). Public accounts of Ghana; Ministry of finance and other agencies of central Government, Boards and corporations, Ghana.

Ghana Integrity Initiative Report. (2013). Public accounts of Ghana; Ministry of finance and other agencies of central Government, Boards and corporations, Ghana.

Ghana Integrity Initiative Report. (2017). Public accounts of Ghana; Ministry of finance and other agencies of central Government, Boards and corporations, Ghana.

Ghana Integrity Initiative Report. (2018). Public accounts of Ghana; Ministry of finance and other agencies of central Government, Boards and corporations, Ghana.

Ghana Integrity Initiative Report. (2023). Public accounts of Ghana; Ministry of finance and other agencies of central Government, Boards and corporations, Ghana.

Haynes, J. (2024). Religion, morality, and democracy in Ghana. Journal of Religion in Africa, 1(1), 1-26.

https://doi.org/10.1163/15700666-12340300 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/15700666-12340300

Indradevi, R. (2020). Workplace spirituality: Successful mantra for modern organization. Journal of Critical Reviews, 7(6), 437-440. https://doi.org/10.31838/jcr.07.06.77 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31838/jcr.07.06.77

Kapilima, V. C. (2024). Unethical Leadership in the African Public Sector: A Structural Functionalist View. Journal of Philosophy and Ethics, 6(1), 6-28. https://doi.org/10.22259/2642-8415.0601002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22259/2642-8415.0601002

Khalil, H. (2024). Role of Religion and Secularism in Shaping Social Values, Norms and Identities in Various Societies and Communities in Egypt. International Journal of Sociology, 8(1), 40-52.

https://doi.org/10.47604/ijs.2332 DOI: https://doi.org/10.47604/ijs.2332

Kumasey, A. S., & Hossain, F. (2020). Exploring the unfathomable causes of dysfunctional behaviours in the Ghanaian public service: perspectives of social capital. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 33(5), 579-594. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPSM-07-2019-0187 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPSM-07-2019-0187

Mawuko-Yevugah, L., & Attipoe, H. A. (2021). Chieftaincy and traditional authority in modern democratic Ghana. South African Journal of Philosophy, 40(3), 319-335.

https://doi.org/10.1080/02580136.2021.1964206 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02580136.2021.1964206

Modise, J. M., & Modise, P. S. (2023). Improved public trust, integrity and good governance with respect to corruption. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 8(3), 2573-2583. https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/rraass/v1/6412E DOI: https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/rraass/v1/6412E

Mohamed Kunhi, Z. (2024). Reclaiming Igbo womanhood: A study of select works of Flora NWAPA, BUCHI EMECHETA and CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE (Doctoral dissertation, Post Graduate & Research Department of English, Farook College (Autonomous) Kozhikode).

Mohd Yusoff, M. Z., Hamzah, A., Fajri, I., Za, T., & Yusuf, S. M. (2022). The effect of spiritual and social norm in moral judgement. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 27(1), 555-568.

https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2022.2156799 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2022.2156799

Mwanza, S. (2022). The role of traditional establishment in the electoral process: a case study of the Mpezeni chiefdom (Doctoral dissertation, The University of Zambia).

Nyandoro, M., & Hatti, N. (2023). Towards Understanding Corruption in Business and Politics A Conceptual Analysis. Social Science Spectrum, 9(1), 1-11.

Ogbuagu, N. M., & Onuora, J. K. J. (2019). Effect of IPSAS adoption on accountability and transparency in the Nigerian public sector organizations. Journal of accounting and financial management, 5(3), 65-80.

Omane-Antwi, B. K. (2012). Auditing theory and practice (The auditing compendium). Digibooks Ghana, Tema.

Onyango, G. (2021). Whistleblowing behaviours and anti-corruption approaches in public administration in Kenya. Economic and Political Studies, 9(2), 230-254.

https://doi.org/10.1080/20954816.2020.1800263 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/20954816.2020.1800263

Osei-Tutu, A., Dzokoto, V. A., Asamoah-Gyadu, J. K., Kenin, A., & Stahl, A. (2023). Perceptions of Ghanaian values: A focus group study. Ghana Social Science Journal, 20(1), 20-38.

Osemene, O. F., Adinnu, P., Fagbemi, T. O., & Olowookere, J. K. (2024). Corporate governance and environmental accounting reporting in selected quoted African companies. Global Business Review, 25(4), 1096-1119. https://doi.org/10.1177/09721509211010989 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/09721509211010989

Otaye-Ebede, L., Shaffakat, S., & Foster, S. (2020). A multilevel model examining the relationships between workplace spirituality, ethical climate and outcomes: A social cognitive theory perspective. Journal of Business Ethics, 166(3), 611-626. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-019-04133-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-019-04133-8

Owusu, G. (2024). Fighting Corruption in West Africa: A Comparative Assessment of Learners and Laggards. GRADUS, 11(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.47833/2024.1.ART.008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.47833/2024.1.ART.008

Rashid, M. (2023). The Role of Religion in Shaping Social Attitudes and Values. Liberal Journal of Language & Literature Review, 1(01), 35-44.

Richard, A. (2021). Theoretical Perspectives and Explanations of Political Corruption in Ghana. Equinox Journal of Economics Business and Political Studies, 8(1), 23-45. https://doi.org/10.48064/equinox.804449 DOI: https://doi.org/10.48064/equinox.804449

Rosenbloom, D. H., Kravchuk, R. S., & Clerkin, R. M. (2022). Public administration: Understanding management, politics, and law in the public sector. Routledge, London.

https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003198116 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003198116

Saeed, A. S., Wahaga, E., & Yankey, G. (2023). Corruption under a microscope, a Ghana perspective. International Journal of Development and Management Review, 18(1), 100-114.

https://doi.org/10.4314/ijdmr.v18i1.7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/ijdmr.v18i1.7

Saroglou, V., Clobert, M., Cohen, A. B., Johnson, K. A., Ladd, K. L., Van Pachterbeke, M., Adamovova, L., Blogowska, J., Brandt, P. Y., Çukur, C. S., Hwang, K. K., Miglietta, A., Motti-Stefanidi, F., Muñoz-García, A., Murken, S., Roussiau, N., & Tapia Valladares, J. (2020). Believing, Bonding, Behaving, and Belonging: The cognitive, emotional, moral, and social dimensions of religiousness across cultures. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 51(7-8), 551-575. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022120946488 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022120946488

Shamsuddin A., Zainal N., Baharudin N., Bakre N. and Shuhaimi. S. C., (2016). The Impact of Spiritual Capital on Corporate Governance Practices of the Listed Government linked Companies (GLCs) In Malaysia. Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 5(2), 197-204.

Skitka, L. J., Hanson, B. E., Morgan, G. S., & Wisneski, D. C. (2021). The psychology of moral conviction. Annual Review of Psychology, 72(1), 347-366. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-063020-030612 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-063020-030612

Spohrer, K. (2024). Resilience, self-discipline and good deeds-examining enactments of character education in English secondary schools. Pedagogy, Culture & Society, 32(1), 1-20.

https://doi.org/10.1080/14681366.2021.2007986 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14681366.2021.2007986

Tabachnick, B. G. & Fidell, L. S. (2007). "Using multivariate statistics" 4th edn, New York: Harper Collins.

Tieleman, J., & Uitermark, J. (2019). Chiefs in the city: Traditional authority in the modern state. Sociology, 53(4), 707-723. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038518809325 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038518809325

Toms, S. (2019). Financial scandals: a historical overview. Accounting and Business Research, 49(5), 477-499. https://doi.org/10.1080/00014788.2019.1610591 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00014788.2019.1610591

Zhang, S. (2020). Workplace spirituality and unethical pro-organizational behavior: The mediating effect of job satisfaction. Journal of Business Ethics, 161(3), 687-705. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-018-3966-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-018-3966-3

Published

2025-01-17

How to Cite

Ataribanam, S. (2025). The Role of Spirituality, Cultural Traditions, and Personal Values in Corrupt Practices within Ghana’s Governmental Institutions. African Journal of Empirical Research, 6(1), 135–147. https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.6.1.14