Determinants of public trust in traditional and religious leaders: evidence from Ghana’s Fourth Republic

Purpose This study examines public trust in traditional and religious leaders in Ghana, focusing on the influence of perceived corruption, engagement, responsiveness, and effective management of natural resources. Design/methodology/approach Employing data from the 9th Round of Afrobarometer surveys conducted in 2022, the study utilizes descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis to investigate the factors that predict public trust in these non-state actors. Findings The findings reveal that perceived corruption does not significantly reduce trust in traditional and religious leaders, challenging simplistic assumptions about the relationship between corruption and institutional legitimacy. However, regular engagement, responsiveness to citizens' concerns, and the perception that natural resource extraction benefits the community are positively associated with increased trust. The study also highlights the importance of sociodemographic factors, with higher education levels and certain regions showing lower trust, while affiliation with the ruling party, general social trust, and feeling close to one's ethnic group are associated with higher trust. These results contribute to the understanding of the complex dynamics of trust in traditional and religious leadership in Ghana, offering insights for policymakers, leaders, and civil society organizations working on governance and social cohesion. Originality/value This study offers several original contributions to the understanding of public trust in traditional and religious leaders in Ghana: first, it provides a comprehensive quantitative analysis of factors influencing trust in traditional and religious leaders, addressing a gap in existing literature which has largely focused on qualitative or historical accounts. Second, the use of recent Afrobarometer data and robust statistical analysis adds to the empirical foundation of research in this area. Overall, this study advances our understanding of the complex and evolving role of traditional and religious leaders in modern Ghanaian society, challenging some existing assumptions while providing new insights into the factors that shape public trust in these important figures.