Commercial Dispute Resolution in Ghana Takes 900 Days, Four Times Longer Than in Cote d’Ivoire – World Bank 

Commercial Dispute Resolution in Ghana Takes 900 Days, Four Times Longer Than in Cote d’Ivoire – World Bank 

The World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, Robert Taliercio O’Brien, has revealed that it takes an average of 900 days to resolve a commercial dispute in Ghana—four times longer than in Côte d’Ivoire.

Speaking at the launch of the 2024 Ghana Business Ready Report on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, Mr. O’Brien described this as a major impediment to the country’s business environment.

“And this is perhaps one of the shocking findings of the report…resolving a commercial dispute case takes an average of 900 days. This is four times longer than in Côte d’Ivoire. Why? Is there a good reason for that? I don’t think so,” he stated.

Key Challenges Identified

The report highlights several bottlenecks affecting business operations in Ghana, including:

• Tax Compliance: The cost and complexity of tax compliance remain a burden for businesses.

• Digital Infrastructure: Nearly 48% of Ghanaian firms report monthly internet disruptions, affecting productivity and competitiveness.

• Trade Logistics: The average time to clear imports is 14 days, significantly longer than in Morocco.

• Access to Finance: Only 17% of SMEs in Ghana have bank loans, with the country’s credit-to-GDP ratio at 9%—among the lowest globally.

• Business Registration: Registering a new business in Ghana takes an average of 57 days, compared to just three days in Rwanda.

Mr. O’Brien speaking further emphasized that while Ghana has the necessary regulatory framework and infrastructure for a competitive business environment, poor operational efficiency due to weak implementation is a major challenge.

Recommendations and World Bank Support

Meanwhile, the World Bank has pledged financial and technical assistance to help Ghana improve its business climate.

The key areas of support include:

• Infrastructure Investment: Enhancing roads, irrigation, and other critical infrastructure.

• Regulatory Reforms: Supporting policy changes to boost private sector development.

• Public-Private Dialogue: Strengthening engagement between businesses and government to identify and address key constraints.

Labour Market and Private Sector Development

With an estimated 500,000 new entrants into the labour market each year, Mr. O’Brien stressed the need for a stronger, more competitive private sector to create decent and well-paying jobs.

“A 24-hour economy can become a reality through efficient regulations, digitized public services, reliable infrastructure, and a level playing field for all businesses,” he added.

Despite the challenges, the report acknowledges Ghana’s progress in areas such as labour market regulations, where the country scores 68.6 out of 100—higher than many sub-Saharan African nations.

However, its market competition score of 32 out of 100 signals the need for further reforms.

The 2024 Ghana Business Ready Report serves as a roadmap for tackling structural bottlenecks and positioning Ghana as a more attractive investment destination for foreign businesses.