2023 Half Yearly Report
The Office of the Special Prosecutor on Wednesday, 17 January 2024, presented its fourth Half Yearly Report under the leadership of Special Prosecutor, Mr. Kissi Agyebeng. The report covering the period from 01 July 2023 to 31 December 2023 is submitted in accordance with section 3(3) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act,
2017 (Act 959). It outlines achievements, challenges, and the overall commitment of the Office to combatting corruption.
The second half of 2023 witnessed remarkable achievements by the Office, including intensified operations aligned with its four-fold mandate: investigating corruption, prosecuting offenders, managing assets, and preventing corruption. These efforts stimulate discourse in the fight against corruption, highlighting the need for continuous examination and apprehension of corrupt individuals.
Currently, three significant criminal cases are in progress on the prosecution front. The trial of the former Chief Executive of the Public Procurement Authority and his brother-in-law is underway at the Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra. Simultaneously, the trial involving the former Chief Executive, former Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Operations, former Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Finance and Administration of the Northern Development Authority, and the Chief Executive of A&QS Consortium Limited is pending before the Criminal Division of the High Court in Tamale. Additionally, 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.
Several other cases are yet to proceed to full trial, including that of the former Minister for Sanitation, Cecilia Abena Dapaah. Investigations so far indicate that this case primarily revolves around suspected money laundering and structuring and may be referred to the appropriate agency in due course. Another case involves Mr. Charles Bissue, the Secretary of the dissolved Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM).
On investigations, the Office has closed a number of cases, including investigation into alleged attempted bribery of the majority caucus of the Parliament of Ghana by an undisclosed well-known and wealthy businessman and that of the 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 Office continues to investigate over 152 cases which are at various stages including investigation into contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited-SML (a company registered in Ghana) and Ghana Revenue Authority and investigation into the appropriation, sale, and lease of State-owned lands and properties to individuals and corporate bodies since 1993.
Committed to preventing corruption, the office disrupted a syndicate involved in counterfeit foreign currency production, and the case has been partially referred to the Ghana Police Service. The office also engaged with stakeholders, including the judiciary and international agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) of the United States. It also collaborated with Civil Society Organisations to educate youth on corruption prevention, recognizing that the fight against corruption requires collective efforts. Furthermore, 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.
The Office has started preparatory works to open regional offices in Kumasi, Takoradi, and Tamale. This strategic initiative reflects the Office's commitment to extending its reach and impact, ensuring that the fight against corruption is not confined to specific regions but resonates throughout the nation.
Despite attempts to discredit the office and criticisms from those impacted by anti-corruption measures, the office remains resolute and undeterred in its fight to render corruption costly and unattractive.