Effect of Country Level Governnance Quality on Stock Market Performance of Ghana

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examined the influence of country level governance indicators on the performance of the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) by controlling the effect of inflation and trading volume. The study used an explanatory research design and a quantitative research approach. Relying on Institutional Theory (IT) and the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH), using Econometric Views (E-views) and descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis) as well as an ordinary least square regression. The primary findings were that economic stability, state - level performance, legal system, and corrupt practices control all had a significant impact on stock market returns. The conclusion was that politically stable atmosphere and the freedom of the media and citizens to have a say in governance and holding leaders’ accountable yields positive results on stock market returns. The propensity of the government of Ghana to control corruption and ensure sound implementation of rules of governance feeds positively into the performance of the stock market of Ghana. It is therefore recommended based on the findings of the study that; the government of Ghana should intensify the fight against corruption in all aspect of society by strengthening rules that give autonomy to anti-corruption bodies to appropriately discharge their functions without fear, favour or political interference as the study recommends.