The latest report by the Institute of Economic and Peace (IEP) has seen Ghana drop six spots in the 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI), falling to 61 st place in the world and the 7th place in Sub-Saharan Africa, continuing its downward trend since it ranked as Africa’s second most peaceful nation only four years past and is now trailing many of its regional counterparts such as Mauritius, Botswana, Namibia, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Madagascar.
Significant decline from a regional leadership position
As reported by The Ghana Report, the latest report by the Institute of Economics and Peace (IEP) shows that Ghana has dropped six positions on the 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI), standing at position 61 in the world and position 7 in Sub-Saharan Africa. The new rankings, however, have Ghana falling behind a few of its regional counterparts in terms of peacefulness, such as Mauritius (26th), Botswana (43rd), Namibia (50th), The Gambia (55th), Sierra Leone (57th), and Madagascar (59th).
This represents a further deterioration in the peace performance of Ghana relative to years past and is of concern to the entire stability and security situation of that country. Ghana in 2024 was ranked 55th worldwide and 4th in Sub-Saharan Africa, compared with 51st worldwide in 2023.
The negative trend in Ghana, declining in the last five years (38th place in 2021 and 61st place in 2025), reflects an increasing number of domestic tensions. This is a downward trend in Ghana, which in 2021 was ranked as the second most peaceful country across Africa and 38th on the planet, according to GBC Ghana Online. It held that standing in 2022, but by 2023 was down to 4th in Africa and 51st in the world.
Regional and global peace deterioration
The general shrinkage is reflective of larger regional and world trends. Conflict rates within Sub-Saharan Africa are on the rise, and the average decrease in peace score in 2025 is 0.17% in the region. Peace is at its lowest in the world since the GPI started to be monitored in 2008.
The report added that the deterioration in peace was evident through several indicators in Ghana, but not outright causes. The GPI is an indicator of peace comprising 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators covering three areas: Societal Safety and Security, Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict, and Militarization.
Analysts indicate that although Ghana remains comparatively stable, issues like localized chieftaincy tensions, especially the long-standing Bawku conflict, economic strains, and increased social tension have had impacts on the Ghana peace pointers. The report said there are now 97 countries in the world less peaceful than they were when the index was established in 2008, with Ghana being one of those that have fallen in that regard since the index was founded.
The strong points of democracy are preserved
Nonetheless, the nation is a bastion of democratic leadership and political tolerance in West Africa and has never experienced the widespread wars that affect segments of the continent. It remains unique due to its peaceful change of power by way of elections, vibrant civil society, and tolerance of religious and cultural diversity.
The changing positions, though, serve as a reminder that peace in Ghana is not something that can be assumed. Analysts caution that increased investment in conflict management, inclusive governance, and economic stability would be necessary to maintain the long-held reputation of the country as a beacon of peace in Africa.
The drop in Ghana to 61st in the Global Peace Index is a troubling five-year drop in its former position as the second most peaceful country in Africa and an indication that localised conflicts, economic strains, and social tensions must be addressed with urgency without compromising its democratic principles and position as the West African stability leader.