Ghana is the eight best governed nation in sub-Saharan Africa, according to a survey looking at performances over the past five years.
The Ibrahim Index, financed by Sudanese mobile phone magnate Mo Ibrahim, names Mauritius as the best-governed, Rwanda is the most improved and Somalia is the worst-governed state.
Harvard University academics analysed the criteria used to rank countries.
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation is next month due to award over $5m - to the former African head of state who is judged to have demonstrated exemplary leadership.
The presidential prize is also aimed at encouraging best practice.
They assembled data from various sources including the United Nations, the anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International, and thinktanks such as Freedom House.
Countries are measured under categories like "Safety and Security" and "Human Development".
When these categories are put together an overall ranking is reached.
