Ghana Leads West Africa in Freedom, Ranks Ahead of South Africa and Senegal

Ghana has been ranked the fourth freest country in Africa and 46th globally in the latest Freedom and Prosperity Index released by the Atlantic Council’s Freedom and Prosperity Center.

The country scored 73.2 points on the Freedom Index, placing it in the “Moderate Freedom” category and ahead of several African nations, including South Africa, which ranked 50th globally, and Senegal, which placed 63rd. Only Seychelles, Cape Verde and Mauritius ranked higher than Ghana on the continent.

The index evaluates countries based on political freedom, economic freedom and the rule of law, while also measuring prosperity through factors such as income levels, health, education, inequality, minority rights and environmental performance.

According to the 2026 report, Ghana’s strong showing reflects its long-standing democratic tradition, competitive elections and active citizen participation in governance. The report also commended the country’s vibrant civil society, which continues to promote accountability and safeguard civic liberties.

A key area of strength highlighted in the report is women’s economic freedom. Findings from Afrobarometer surveys cited in the study indicate widespread public support for gender equality and women’s participation in economic activities.

Despite its strong freedom credentials, Ghana’s prosperity ranking remains relatively low. The country recorded a prosperity score of 54.9, placing it 115th in the world. This creates a significant gap between its freedom and prosperity rankings, suggesting that political and civil liberties have yet to translate into broad-based economic benefits for many citizens.

The report attributes this challenge to factors including rising public debt, recurring dependence on International Monetary Fund support programmes and persistent youth unemployment. It also raises concerns about judicial independence and declining public trust in the judiciary.

Nonetheless, Ghana’s performance reinforces its position as one of Africa’s most stable democracies and highlights its continued leadership in political and civic freedoms across the continent.

By: Radio1/ Paulina Armah