Half Yearly Report 29 December 2023

 

A Publication of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, The Republic of Ghana 6 Haile Selassie Avenue, South Ridge, Accra

© Office of the Special Prosecutor, Ghana Accra, December 2023

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Preface

Pursuant to section 3(3) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), I am pleased to present the fourth Half Yearly Report during my tenure as the Special Prosecutor. This report offers insights into the investigations and prosecutions conducted by the Office spanning the period 1 July 2023 to 31 December 2023. Additionally, it highlights developments, corruption prevention measures and savings, collaborative drives and the prospects in the quest to suppress and repress corruption.

The second half of 2023 has been positively remarkable — marked by notable achievements by the Office and generally constructive heightened public interest and scrutiny in the fight against corruption as the Office intensified its operations and set-up in alignment with its four-fold mandate of investigating corruption and corruption-related cases; prosecuting suspected offenders; recovering and managing assets; and taking steps to prevent corruption. The activities of the Office stimulated national discourse on the fight against corruption in an unprecedented manner, awakening a collective acknowledgment that notwithstanding applaudable efforts in combating corruption, the malaise of graft and questionable acquisition of wealth appears to be entrenched in the Republic — thus, requiring enhanced and continuous examination and apprehension of the corrupt-minded.

On the debit side of the table, there have been attempts to discredit the Office and its principal officers unfairly and unjustly; and formidable resistance and pushback by persons directly and indirectly impacted by our efforts in combatting corruption. The Office has remained resilient and well-positioned in carrying out its mandate as the flagship anti-corruption agency — undeterred by these predictable and anticipated objectionable occurrences.

There was a marginal increase in the resourcing of the Office. However, the Office is still confronted with the challenge of a substantial deficit in its establishment budget and operational resources. The Office still requires the injection of immense resources to fully align with current trends and the sophistication of corruption enterprises and adventurers.

As we welcome the general elections year of 2024, we must all resolve to keep the fight against corruption aflame. For as I keep stating, it is upon the fight against corruption that we may forge ourselves decent existence.

 

Kissi Agyebeng

The Special Prosecutor The Republic of Ghana 29 December 2023

Introduction

1.1    The Office of the Special Prosecutor is the flagship anti-corruption institution. It functions as a specialised autonomous investigative and prosecutorial agency. Its powers and functions are founded on the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) and its additional legislative Instruments — the Office of the Special Prosecutor Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2373), governing the management of human capital and discipline and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Operations) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2374), outlining operational protocols. Further, the mandate of the office extends to the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30), the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) and any other law enforcement enactments in the context of corruption and corruption-related offences.

1.2    The mandate of the Office is primarily four-fold — investigating suspected or alleged corruption and corruption-related cases;¹ prosecuting suspected offenders; recovering and managing assets; and taking steps to prevent corruption.

1.3    The Office exercises full police and law enforcement and security powers in the performance of its functions.

1.4    The Office is independent and unique in its mandate. Its independence, by law, is assured in the proper sense, as the Special Prosecutor retains full authority and control over the initiation, investigation, prosecution and conduct of cases.

1.5    The mandate of the Office encompasses the authority to investigate and prosecute public officials, private individuals, as well as politically exposed persons — that is, individuals entrusted with significant public roles in Ghana or abroad, including senior officials from political parties, government, judiciary, and the military. This category also includes individuals who have served as executives in foreign countries, senior political party officials abroad, or immediate family members and close associates of such persons.

II Developments

2.1 The Office has completed the recruitment process for its establishment staff. A total of an approved establishment staff of two hundred and forty-nine (249) have taken

up their appointments. They are made up of professionals including lawyers, investigators, asset recovery specialists, intelligence analysts, data miners, information technology specialists, administrators, finance specialists, researchers, and special operatives.

2.2    The Office has commenced preparatory steps to branch out into the regions — focusing on Kumasi, Tamale, and Takoradi.

2.3    Registering and acknowledging their collective roles in the fight against corruption, the Office and the Judicial Service of Ghana issued a joint press statement. The statement expressed the concern about the seriousness of problems and threats posed by corruption and corruption-related activities to our development and democracy, and the two institutions affirmed a joint commitment to suppress and repress corruption and corruption-related activities in all forms through collaborative enforcement of the law and continuous engagement, while upholding the rule of law and the provision of fair hearing to all stakeholders in the criminal justice system.

2.4    The Office was admitted as a member of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network). Established by the guardian of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) — GlobE Network facilitates, promotes, and supports cross-border cooperation to end corruption.

III Cases

3.1 By operation of law, the investigation mandate of the Office is dual. The Office investigates to prevent corruption, and it also investigates to prosecute suspected offenders. The Office first engages in intelligence gathering or “pre-investigation” to determine whether it should open investigation into a matter. Subsequently, the Special Prosecutor directs the opening of a preliminary enquiry or investigation where he determines that the matter is within the mandate of the Office. Where sufficient information is gathered, the Special Prosecutor directs the initiation of a full investigation. The Special Prosecutor directs the institution of criminal proceedings where it is determined that the Office has the requisite probative evidence to meet the standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt. On the other hand, the Special Prosecutor directs the institution of corruption-prevention measures where the matter under investigation either ends in criminal proceedings or does not necessarily lead to prosecution.

3.2    The Office takes especial care to safe-guard and protect the privacy and reputations of persons it investigates. To this end, the Office seeks to avoid unnecessary stigmatisation by conducting its operations with as little intrusion into the privacy of individuals and the business operations of companies as the circumstances permit.

3.3    Thus, the Office only publishes the initiation or commencement of investigation where the Special Prosecutor deems the investigation in question to be at a threshold which dictates communication to the public.

3.4    The following are the various cases handled by the Office during the period under reference:

A Prosecutions

There has not been any convictions or acquittals in respect of the cases pending before the criminal courts during the period under review. Three (3) substantive criminal cases are being tried before the courts.

CR/0492/2022 The Republic v. Adjenim Boateng Adjei & Francis Kwaku Arhin

The trial of the former Chief Executive of Public Procurement Authority and his brother-in-law is ongoing before the Criminal Division of the High Court, Accra. Mr. Adjei has been charged with multiple counts of using public office for profit and directly and indirectly influencing the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage in the award of public contracts, while his brother-in-law, Francis Kwaku Arhin has been charged with one (1) count of using public office for profit.

NR/TL/HC/CCI/10/23 The Republic v Sumaila Abdul Rahman, Stephen Yir-Eru

Engmen, Patrick Seidu & Andrew Kuundaari

The trial of the former Chief Executive, former Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Operations, former Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Finance and Administration of Northern Development Authority and the Chief Executive of A&QS Consortium Limited is pending before the Criminal

Division of the High Court, Tamale. The four (4) are facing a total of eleven (11) counts of corruption and corruption-related offences comprising conspiracy to directly or indirectly influence the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage in the award of a procurement contract, directly or indirectly influencing the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage in the award of a procurement contract, corruption by a public officer, and corruption of a public officer.

D13/9/2022 The Republic v Alexander Kwabena Sarfo Kantanka

The trial of the President’s nominee for the position of Chief Executive of Juaben Municipal Assembly in the Ashanti Region is pending before the Criminal Division of the High Court, Kumasi. Mr. Sarfo-Kantanka has been charged with twenty-six (26) counts of corruption in respect of a public election.

B Other Cases

Cecilia Abena Dapaah

In July 2023, the Office commenced investigation in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding large amounts of money (mainly in foreign denominations) and other valuable items involving Ms. Cecilia Abena Dapaah, a former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources and her spouse, Mr. Daniel Osei-Kufour. The investigation has been largely aimed at determining the source(s) of the large cash sums.

The Office took several steps including freezing Ms. Dapaah’s bank accounts and investments and seizing large sums from the residence of Ms. Dapaah and her spouse. Upon the refusal by the High Court to confirm the freezing and seizure orders, the Office re-seized the cash sums and re-froze the bank accounts and investments and applied to the court again for confirmation in FT0074/2023 The Special Prosecutor v. Cecilia Abena Dapaah & Daniel Osei-Kufour.

From October 2023, the investigation became cross-border and transboundary upon the claim by the persons of interest that part of the seized cash sums was transported into the jurisdiction from the United States. For that reason, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States became involved in a collaborative investigative work with the OSP on the matter.

In October 2023, the Special Prosecutor revoked the freezing order in respect of five (5) bank accounts of Ms. Dapaah, which were eliminated from the focus of the investigation as no longer suspected to be tainted property.

The investigation shows that the case is largely in the province of suspected money laundering and structuring. By operation of law, there are other law enforcement agencies which are reposed with a direct mandate in respect of money laundering and structuring. On that score, the Special Prosecutor will issue directives and further action on the matter in due course.

Charles Bissue

The Secretary of the dissolved Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), Mr. Charles Bissue has sued the Office in the Human Rights Court, Accra in HR/0101/2023 Charles Bissue v. Office of the Special Prosecutor. Mr. Bissue alleges that the Office infringed on his human rights by investigating him, declaring him a fugitive from justice when he failed to attend to the Office upon the issuance of notices to that effect, and also by issuing a warrant for his arrest.

The Office is contending the suit on the ground that except persons exempted from criminal proceedings by law, no person (including Mr. Bissue) has a right not to be investigated by the Office for suspected commission of corruption and corruption-related offences. Also, the Office’s power of arrest, much like that of all law enforcement agencies, implies the power to declare a person a fugitive from justice, where, as in this case, a person evades apprehension and intentionally renders himself impossible to apprehend. Further, the Office is contending that the alleged warrant of arrest does not exist and that Mr. Bissue is misrepresenting facts stemming from his unsubstantiated suspicion.

Concluded Investigations

Majority Caucus of Parliament

The Office has concluded and closed investigation rnto alleged attempted bribery of the majority caucus of the Parliament of Ghana by an undisclosed well-known and wealthy businessman. The investigation was prompted by a complaint filed by the pressure group, OccupyGhana. The group alleged that it had followed media reports from interviews by Joy 99.7 FM (a radio station operating from Accra) with the Member of Parliament for Suame Constituency in the Ashanti Region and Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and the Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North Constituency in the Ashanti Region, Mr. Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi — in which the two Members of Parliament alleged that an unnamed, wealthy businessman had attempted to bribe a section of the majority caucus of Parliament.

The investigation showed that circa September 2022, eighty (80) Members of Parliament of the NPP publicly called for the resignation or removal of the Minister for Finance, Mr. Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta over complaints of his inability to properly manage the economy of Ghana. The apparent spokesperson of the group was Mr. Appiah-Kubi. Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and Mr. Appiah-Kubi granted interviews on Joy 99.7 FM, a radio station operating from Accra, on developments in respect of the demand for the resignation or removal of Mr. Ofori-Atta. The interviews were widely circulated on other media portals, including audio-visual renditions on television on Joy Prime and Joy News.

Mr. Appiah-Kubi’s interview was first in time. He stated outrightly that a certain well-known wealthy Ghanaian businessman visited Parliament House on 1 October 2022 and requested a meeting with a section of NPP Members of Parliament. He stated that at the meeting the well-known wealthy businessman offered them huge sums of money in envelopes with the intention of influencing them to rescind their demand for the resignation or removal of Mr. Ofori-Atta. He further stated that the Members of Parliament stood their ground and rejected the offer of money. Mr. Appiah-Kubi did not disclose the identity of the well-known wealthy businessman during the interview.

Mr. Appiah-Kubi refused to disclose the identities of the Members of Parliament present at the meeting with the undisclosed businessman. He refused to disclose the identity of the wealthy businessman. He refused to disclose the amount of money offered by the undisclosed businessman. He refused to answer all other questions posed to him. He showed open hostility to the authorised officers of the Office and he was unyielding in his resolve not to cooperate with the investigation. Indeed, he flatly refused to cooperate with the Office, though he had stated that he would fully cooperate with the investigation, and though he declared to the media subsequent to the Office’s interview that he fully cooperated with the Office.

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu denied direct knowledge of the matter. He denied knowledge of the undisclosed wealthy businessman and the amount of money he allegedly offered to the indicated section of Members of Parliament. He stated that his limited knowledge of the matter was based largely on rumours and the interview granted by Mr. Appiah-Kubi on Joy FM.

The Office’s enhanced investigation uncovered the identity of a person who fit the profile, on all accounts, of the wealthy businessman who attended Parliament circa 1 October 2023. The person so identified was located and brought in for interviewing. He denied ever meeting a section of Members of Parliament and offering them money to abort their demand for the resignation or removal of Mr. Ofori-Atta. However, it was established that he frequently attends Parliament House.

The investigation showed that a wealthy businessman did in fact attempt to offer money to a section of the majority caucus of Parliament with the intention of influencing their demand for the resignation or removal of Mr. Ofori-Atta as Minister for Finance. It also showed that the monetary offer was apparently rejected by the contacted Members of Parliament. However, Mr. Appiah-Kubi’s refusal to disclose the identity of the suspect effectively defeated the investigation. This is becuase the institution of criminal proceedings would necessarily require the input and cooperation of Mr. Appiah-Kubi — without which the case will not pass muster in respect of the requisite standard of establishing guilt, which is proof beyond reasonable doubt.

The investigation may be re-opened should the circumstances and further facts so dictate.

The Office has concluded and closed investigation of a referral by the President and a complaint by a private investigation firm, Tiger Eye P.I. regarding allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences involving a former Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Charles Adu Boahen contained in an investigative documentary titled Galamsey Economy published by a celebrated Ghanaian investigative Journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas and his associates operating under the corporate name of Tiger Eye P.I.

The complaint alleged that, through its sting operations, Tiger Eye P.I. audio-visually recorded Mr. Adu Boahen in the act of his commission of corruption and corruption-related offences. The complaint stated that undercover agents of Tiger Eye P.I., posing as businessmen who were interested in investing in Ghana, met with Mr. Adu Boahen and tabled their Investment plans and proposals to him. The complaint alleged that, sensing an opportunity to cashin on his position as a Deputy Minister of Finance at the time, Mr. Adu Boahen demanded twenty per cent (20%) of the value of the proposed initial investment or ten per cent (10%) upfront payment of the value of the proposed initial investment and post-investment sharing of the proceeds of the investment.

The complaint also alleged that Mr. Adu Boahen offered to introduce the undercover agents to the President and the Vice President in aid of establishing them as very influential persons in Ghana. It was alleged that this offer was premised on Mr. Adu Boahen’s stated close ties to the President — akin to an uncle and a nephew relationship, and his political connections to the Vice President.

The complaint further alleged that Mr. Adu Boahen demanded Two Hundred Thousand United States dollars (US$200,000.00) to be given to the Vice President for the purposes of facilitating a meeting to be set up by Mr. Adu Boahen between the Vice President and the undercover agents.

The investigation showed that the audio-visual recording accurately represented the matters in the complaint. It showed that Mr. Adu Boahen engaged in trading in influence or influence peddling by employing his political office and close personal ties to the President and the Vice President to obtain favours of an actual cash gift and a prospective percentage cut of the proposed

investment by the undercover investigators. This was so notwithstanding the fact that the proposed investment was a prop and could not have actualised since there were in fact no actual investors, and that Mr. Adu Boahen stood to make a substantial personal gain had it been an actual investment proposal.

The investigation concluded that though the conduct of Mr. Adu Boahen amounts to trading in influence or influence peddling, which is closely associated with corruption, there was no actual criminal prohibition of his acts in respect of which the Office had a mandate to further act. The investigation may be re-opened should the circumstances and further facts so dictate.

The Office regretted the outcome and opined that the non-prohibition of most predicate acts of corruption and corruption-related offences engenders impunity of malevolent conduct and the erosion of democratic tenets, which spawn formidable hurdles in the fight against corruption, especially in the public sector. On that score, the Office called for the passage of a Corrupt Practices Act to comprehensively codify the prohibition of all forms of corruption. Further, the Office joined up with the positively persistent calls of civil society organisations for the passage of a Conduct of Public Officers Act to properly regulate the conduct of public officers.

Ghana Police Service

The Office has concluded investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding the recruitment exercise of Course 51 of Cadet Officers Training at the Ghana Police Academy. The Special Prosecutor will issue directives and further action on the matter in due course.

Gaming Commission of Ghana.

The Office has concluded investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of the procurement and the award of a contract to Turfsport Ghana Limited by the Gaming Commission of Ghana. The Special Prosecutor will issue directives and further action on the matter in due course.

The Office has concluded investigation into allegations of the use of public office for profit against Mr. Charles Bissue, during his tenure as Secretary to the erstwhile Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), arising from an investigative documentary titled Galamsey Fraud. The Special Prosecutor will issue directives and further action on the matter in due course.

Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited/Ghana Revenue Authority

The Office has commenced preliminary investigation into contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited (a company registered in Ghana) and Ghana Revenue Authority for the stated objective of the enhancement of revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and minerals and metals resources value chain.

The preliminary investigation is based on a complaint filed on 18 December 2023 by The Fourth Estate (a project of Media Foundation for West Africa) represented by three (3) journalists — Evans Aziamor-Mensah, Adwoa Adobea-Owusu, and Manasseh Azure Awuni. The complaint alleged possible corruption, including breaches of the Public Procurement Act, in respect of the contractual arrangements.

State Lands, Stool Lands, and other Vested Lands

The Office has commenced investigation into the appropriation, sale and lease of State owned lands and properties to individuals and corporate bodies since 1993. The investigation covers all lands and properties that fall under the direct stewardship of the Lands Commission; the Ministry of Works and Housing; all other Ministries; State Housing Company; State Owned Companies; and other State agencies.

The investigation also covers the management of vested lands and all public lands over which the State’s ownership or control has been relinquished and the conditions of release.

Government Payroll

The Office has commenced corruption risk assessment and investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of Government of Ghana payroll administration.

The assessment and investigation are especially aimed at isolating and removing non-existent names, recovering wrongful payments, and the prosecution of persons suspected to be culpable for any offence(s).

The Controller and Accountant General’s Department is collaborating with the Office on the investigation and assessment. A joint project team of selected staff of the two institutions has been formed for the purpose.

The investigation and assessment covers all banks and employees on government payroll. The exercise is being carried out in two phases. Phase I covers Ghana Education Service and the health institutions. Phase II covers all other Metropolitan/Municipal/District Assemblies, Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Tema Oil Refinery and Tema Energy and Processing Limited

The Office has commenced analysis of the risk of corruption in respect of a proposed partnership agreement between Tema Oil Refinery and Tema Energy and Processing Limited.

The Special Prosecutor has directed the Management of Tema Oil Refinery to immediately suspend the proposed partnership agreement, ongoing negotiations, operations, and all other ancillary activities arising out of and consequent upon the proposed partnership agreement until otherwise advised by the Special Prosecutor.

Electricity Company of Ghana Limited

Investigation is ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding the termination of a Distribution, Loss Reduction and Associated Network Improvement Project contract between the

Electricity Company of Ghana Limited and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC).

Illegal Mining

Investigation is ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding illegal mining — referred to as Galamsey. The investigation targets some officials of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Forestry Commission. It also targets the activities and expenditure of the dissolved Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), especially in respect of the seizure and management of excavators, machinery, road vehicles, and gold nuggets.

The investigation further targets the activities of Akonta Mining Limited and other companies; nationals of foreign countries allegedly involved in illegal mining; and allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences against some Municipal and District Chief Executives.

National Sports Authority

Investigation is ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding contracts awarded by the National Sports Authority for the provision of goods and services to the following entities:

•    Acoma Green Consult

•    Tabee Gh. Limited

•    Wanschie Car Rentals

•    Obiri Car Rentals

•    No Farmer No Fortune

•    STC Clinic

•    Bobina Solutions

•    Mum & Sons Signature

Investigation is ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding contracts awarded by Ghana Water Company Limited for the provision of goods and services to the following entities:

•    Nayak 96 Enterprise

•    Dencom Construction Works

•    Edmus Limited

•    Jomaks

•    Espab Construction Limited

•    Roger More Construction Limited

•    Velech Enterprise

•    Intermec Gh. Limited

•    A.J.I. Trading & Construction Limited

Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority

Following the publication by the Office of an investigation report on 3 August 2022 in respect of a complaint against Labianca Company Limited and the Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority, the Special Prosecutor directed the commencement of a wider investigation into the issuance of customs advance rulings and markdowns of benchmark values. Investigation is also ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding the auction sales of vehicles and other goods by the Customs Division between 1 July 2016 and 15 August 2022.

Airbus SE

Investigation is ongoing in respect of alleged bribery by Airbus SE, a European multinational aerospace corporation, regarding the sale and purchase of military aircrafts for the Republic. The Office is engaged with INTERPOL and the central authorities of the United Kingdom and the United States under the mutual legal assistance regime.

Investigation is ongoing in respect of the banking and financial sector crisis that precipitated the collapse of some banks and financial institutions and the financial sector clean up and recapitalisation reforms. The investigation targets alleged corruption and corruption-related offences perpetrated by some officials of the Bank of Ghana, banks, specialised deposit-taking institutions, and financial holding companies.

Estate of Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie alias Sir John

Investigation is ongoing in respect of alleged improper acquisition of state protected land at the Achimota Forest enclave and the Sakumono Ramsar site by the deceased former Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission.

Other Cases

The Office is also investigating one hundred and fifty-two (152) other cases at various levels of consideration. These would be publicised if the Special Prosecutor determines that they are within the mandate of the Office and that they should be moved past the preliminary investigation stage. This is a policy intended to protect the privacy of individuals and the business operations of institutions and companies, and to avoid unnecessary stigmatisation.

IV    Prevention of Corruption and Savings

4.1    Youth in Anti-Corruption Campaign

The Office, in collaboration with Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) and other civil society organisations, has been actively engaging the youth through anti-corruption training programmes in Senior High Schools. This initiative employs interactive education based on the learner-led model of enabling students to lead the learning process. The primary objective is to transform the deeply ingrained culture of corruption in the country and prepare students to assume the role of anti-corruption champions.

Disruption of Counterfeit Foreign Currency Manufacturing Network

 

The Office has disrupted a syndicate involved in the production of counterfeit foreign currency. Seizures were effected in two (2) warehouses located in Accra and Tema, where a substantial counterfeit amount of Forty Million United States dollars (US$40,000,000.00) was discovered concealed in steel trunks. The case has been partially referred to the Ghana Police Service for further investigation.

Closed Pathways for Corrupt Practices and Tax Avoidance

Upon the initial Labianca and the Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority investigation and further wider investigation initiated by the Office into the misapplication and abuse of customs advance rulings and benchmark values, Parliament eliminated the provisions that permitted the discretionary use of such practices. This action has effectively closed a significant loophole that previously enabled the circumvention and underpayment of duties and taxes on imported goods, thereby safeguarding the nation from substantial revenue losses amounting to millions of cedis. This move considerably reduces the incidence of collusion between officials and importers.

Also, subsequent to the intervention by the Office and the implementation of corruption prevention measures directed by the Office, revenue generated from auction sales has witnessed a notable improvement, averaging an increase of 12% per month.

Further, Integrity Plans implemented by Ghana Revenue Authority upon the direction by the Office has remarkably enhanced transparency and accountability in revenue generation.

4.4    Media and Public Engagements

The Office intensified its media and public engagements — disseminating information through traditional and new media platforms. To enhance online outreach and the expansion of audience base, the Office established additional social media handles via Linkedln and YouTube.

Miscellaneous Activities

5.1    The Office participated in the Tenth session of the United Nations Convention against Corruption Conference of the States Parties (CoSP10), held in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States between 11-15 December 2023. During this event, the Office participated as panel member in a presentation on “Strategie Litigation: Advocacy Tool for Policy Change”. This session, organised on the sidelines of the conference by Transparency International, provided the Office with the opportunity to contribute and benefit from insights and expertise.

5.2    The Office participated as a facilitator at the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) AGWE Project, focused on training law enforcement agencies and anti-corruption institutions in Ghana in financial crime investigation associated with organised maritime crime. The event took place between 9-13 October 2023 at the headquarters of the Ghana Police Service in Accra. The Office conducted sessions on two key topics — Ghana’s Experience in Addressing Corruption in the Public and Private Sectors, including Challenges and Prospects; and The Utilisation of Intelligence and Investigative Techniques to Combat Corruption and other Financial Crimes.

5.3    Selected staff of the Office participated in a number of training programmes both in Ghana and abroad.

VI    Collaboration

6.1    Reciprocal visits occurred between the Office and the Federal Bureau of

Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) of the United States during the months of September and October 2023. In September, a high-level delegation of the FBI and DOJ undertook a working visit to the Office in Accra. The purpose of the visit was to explore collaboration opportunities, coordinate parallel investigations, and discuss potential training assistance. During this exchange, the attending officials shared valuable insights and experiences related to the investigation and prosecution of cases involving fraud and public corruption.

6.2    In October 2023, the Special Prosecutor and the Director of the Strategy, Research, and Communication Division held meetings with officials of FBI and DOJ at their respective headquarters in Washington, DC. The purpose of the visit was to facilitate the Office’s understanding of the organisational structure, operations, and best practices of these agencies, with the aim of identifying opportunities to strengthen collaboration and enhance capacity building.

6.3    During the period under review, the Office actively collaborated with its partner institutions, especially the Economic and Organised Crime Office and the Ghana Police Service, in collective efforts at combatting crime.

VII    Conclusion

7.1    Notwithstanding its nascent advent, the Office has consistently demonstrated its dedication to fulfilling its mandate. Its operations are rendering corruption prohibitively costly. This commitment is evident through the prosecution of cases, prevention of suspected corrupt transactions, and safeguarding public funds. The Office exhibits resilience against objectionable adversarial attacks designed to undermine its effectiveness.

7.2    The appointment of two hundred and forty-nine (249) staff has greatly enhanced the operational capacity and efficiency of the Office. The increased human capital highlights the necessity for sufficient funding and resourcing to assure optimal performance and effectiveness.

1 See osp.gov.gh for an expansive list of corruption and corruption-related offences.

 

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