OSP Archives - Page 2 of 2 -

Mahama Ayariga renews OSP petition on BoG complex

Mahama Ayariga, the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, has once more lodged a petition with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) regarding the recent construction of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) Complex. In his renewed petition, Ayariga has reiterated allegations of corruption implicating the Bank’s Governor, Deputy Governors, the Board of Directors, and the contracted firm, Goldkey Properties Ltd. “This is to follow-up on your investigation of the complaint of suspected procurement breaches relating to the new headquarters building of the Bank of Ghana at Ridge, Accra. “You will recall that in October 2023, made a formal complaint to your office and requested you to investigate what I believed to be a case of corruption in the procurement of the new headquarters building of the Bank of Ghana at Ridge in Accra. The suspects, in this case, included the governor and the deputy governors of the Bank of Ghana, namely; (1) Dr Ernest Kwamina Addison (Governor), (2) Maxwell Opoku-Afari (First Deputy Governor), and (3) Elsie Ado Awadzi (Second Deputy Governor),” portions of the petition reads. Attached below is the full petition to the OSP: FOLLOW-UP-ON-INVESTIGATION-OF-BoG

Mahama Ayariga renews OSP petition on BoG complex Read More »

Government Secretarial School embraces OSP’s Anti-Corruption Training for Future Workforce

Leave a Comment / Institutional Reports, Local News, News, Reports / Yaw Nkansah Abankroh

In a collaborative effort to instil values of integrity and accountability in the upcoming workforce, the Government Secretarial School has joined forces with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). The school, dedicated to providing high-quality secretarial training to civil service and the public, welcomed the OSP’s Youth Against Corruption Initiative, which focuses on educating trainees about the implications of corruption on society and the importance of countering corrupt practices from an early age. As part of this initiative, OSP officials conducted training sessions at the school, covering topics such as the role and functions of the office, its specialised nature as an autonomous agency dedicated solely to the fight against corruption, and the definition of corruption and related activities. A key component of the training was a detailed presentation on whistleblowing and its significance in upholding transparency and accountability. Trainees were introduced to the concept and importance of fostering a culture of reporting, emphasizing the crucial role whistle-blowers play in ensuring ethical conduct and creating a responsible and accountable environment nationwide. The presentation also provided insights into the various reporting mechanisms available at the OSP. Furthermore, trainees were educated on the protection and reward schemes offered by the OSP to individuals who successfully assist the office in uncovering corruption and securing convictions. The OSP’s visit sparked valuable feedback from both students and teachers, expressing interest in future interventions and collaborations with the OSP. The collaborative effort between the Government Secretarial School and the OSP signifies a proactive approach to shaping a future workforce that prioritises ethical conduct, transparency, and accountability in the public sector. GNA

Government Secretarial School embraces OSP’s Anti-Corruption Training for Future Workforce Read More »

Special Prosecutor seeks support of religious leaders in corruption fight

Leave a Comment / Local News, News / Yaw Nkansah Abankroh

The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has appealed to religious leaders to collaborate with his outfit in combating corruption. He made the call on the back of Ghana’s stagnant position on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) which he said highlights the country’s lack of progress in the fight against corruption. According to Mr. Agyebeng, the clerics’ involvement in combating corruption will yield good results, considering their personalities. Ghana attained a score of 43 out of a possible 100, securing the 70th position out of 180 countries and territories in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2023, released by Transparency International (TI) on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. This marks the fourth consecutive year of stagnation in Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts, according to the CPI. Four out of six Sub-Saharan African countries that maintained a stagnant score for four or more consecutive years experienced a subsequent decline in their CPI score the following year, representing a concerning trend. Mr. Agyebeng, while addressing the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council Conference of Heads of Churches and Organizations on Thursday, February 15, 2024, urged church leaders to leverage their pulpits, platforms, and influence to denounce and deliver sermons against corrupt behaviour and lifestyles. He posed a question, stating, “With 71 percent of Ghanaians identifying as Christians, how is it that we still struggle with corruption?” He also observed that Ghana is aware of the medicine that can cure corruption but hesitates to take it because it is bitter. Furthermore, he called on the religious leaders to actively partake in the fight against corruption in the country. “We need greater attention on this one. If the representatives of God among us actively take on the corruption fight, we’ll attain remarkable heights. So please join us, by publicly calling corrupt activities. Please join us in making explicit linkages between corruptions and the vices we decry as unchristian in fervent defence of the state.” citinewsroom

Special Prosecutor seeks support of religious leaders in corruption fight Read More »

Cecilia Dapaah’s Case Handed Over To EOCO

Leave a Comment / Local News, News / Yaw Nkansah Abankroh

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has officially referred the investigation into the financial affairs and assets of former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, and her associates, to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). In a statement released on Thursday, the OSP clarified that, despite nearly seven months of extensive investigation by both the OSP and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States (US), no direct and immediate evidence of corruption has been found in the seized funds and frozen bank accounts linked to Ms. Dapaah and her associates. The OSP stated, “The investigation has identified strong indications of suspected money laundering and structuring. While the OSP acknowledges these suspected offenses, they do not fall directly within the mandate of the Office. By law, the office cannot investigate, prosecute, nor recover proceeds of crime except those that fall within corruption and corruption-related offenses as defined under section 79 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).” Following the principles outlined in section 3 of Act 959, which mandates the OSP to collaborate and coordinate with other law enforcement agencies, the case has been transferred to EOCO for further investigation. It is important to note that in August 2023, the OSP took action by freezing Ms. Dapaah’s bank accounts and confiscating $590,000 and GH¢2.73 million from her residence after reports surfaced regarding the theft of a significant amount of cash in both cedis and foreign currencies. “The Office has been in court until today, seeking to confirm the frozen bank accounts and secure the seized money for extended periods, pending the outcome of investigations. A portion of the inquiry was entrusted to the FBI due to allegations suggesting involvement in funds transfers from the United States,” the OSP emphasized. The transfer of the investigation to EOCO marks the next phase in ensuring a comprehensive and thorough examination of the suspected money laundering and structuring offenses alleged to have occurred. EOCO will now be responsible for conducting further investigations and prosecuting any offenses within their jurisdiction. As the investigation continues under EOCO’s purview, it is hoped that concrete evidential findings will shed light on the financial activities surrounding Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her associates. By Vincent Kubi

Cecilia Dapaah’s Case Handed Over To EOCO Read More »