Why are Bangladesh fares the worst in all indications?
Bangladesh finds itself at a crossroads as the global Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2023 reveals a disheartening drop in its ranking to 149th among 180 countries.
This marks the lowest score since 2012, ringing alarm bells about the nation’s governance transparency and the escalating prevalence of corruption.
The stark decline from a score of 26 to 24 out of 100 underscores a concerning reality for Bangladesh.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), the Berlin-based anti-graft watchdog in unveiling the report at its office in Dhaka has categorized the nation among the 122 countries grappling with a ‘serious corruption problem.’
Globally, Bangladesh’s score is not just below the average at 43 but significantly so, trailing by 19 points.
The country now stands as the 10th lowest globally and the 4th lowest in the Asia-Pacific region, outpacing only Afghanistan, Cambodia, Myanmar, and North Korea.
Within South Asia, Bangladesh’s position is equally unsettling, securing the second-to-last spot in both score and rank, leaving only Afghanistan behind.
The report reveals a glaring 21-point deficit compared to the Asia-Pacific regional average, signaling a deeper crisis than in other regions, even Sub-Saharan Africa. The war-torn Somalia has secured the unenviable title of being the most corrupt, scoring a mere 11 points.
Transparency International attributes Bangladesh’s troubling performance to a lack of strategic initiatives translating anti-corruption rhetoric into action. Public-sector corruption, particularly in contracting and project implementation, has escalated without effective countermeasures against money laundering.
The report criticizes the judicial process for sending mixed signals and points to political and government positions as conduits for the abuse of power. The banking sector, plagued by policy capture, contributes to financial fraud and money laundering.
The remedy prescribed by Transparency International is clear: challenge impunity, bring the corrupt to justice, and depoliticize state institutions. Bangladesh now stands at a critical juncture, and the onus is on the government to translate its commitment into tangible actions.
Urgent reforms are imperative, focusing on depoliticizing state institutions and implementing effective measures against corruption. Failures to do so risks further entrenching the vicious circle of corruption and injustice, jeopardizing the nation’s integrity and global standing. Swift and decisive action is the need of the hour.
