Transparency and Accountability as the Foundations Against Corruption in Governance

This paper examined the relationship between transparency, accountability, and corruption in contemporary governance, with emphasis on states where transparency reforms have translated into significant accountability. The paper adopted qualitative research methodology relying on secondary sources of data. The study employed the principal-agent theory as it best described how transparency and accountability served as foundation for good governance against corruption. The findings from the study included that successful anti-corruption governance relied on the union of transparency and accountability rather than the extension of disclosure alone as practiced in Denmark. Also, the study found that although in Ghana, state institutions were constitutionally independent and relatively active; enforcement was not consistent, and political interference, limitation of resources, and extensive judicial processes weakened deterrence which meant that corruption was not always exposed and hardly punished firmly; and that sustained a perception of impunity publicly. The study therefore recommended that Nigeria strengthen enforcement and sanctions, promote institutional independence and professionalism as well as establish link between transparency and measurable outcomes