Charles Bissue

The Office of the Special Prosecutor has filed and commenced fresh criminal proceedings against:

• Charles Cromwell Nanabanyin Onuawonto Bissue, former Secretary to the now-defunct Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM) – First Accused
   
• Raphael Mensah, former Systems Manager of the GalamStop software – Second Accused
   
• Dr. Naa Dedei Tagoe, former Project Coordinator of the IMCIM – Third Accused
   

The accused persons are before the court on charges relating to corruption and corruption-related offences, contrary to the provisions of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) and the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), as amended.

Mr. Bissue faces six counts of corruption and abuse of public office, in breach of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), as amended by Act 1034. He has also been charged with three counts of corruption by a public officer under section 239(1) and (3) of Act 29, as amended, for allegedly agreeing, directly or indirectly, to allow his conduct in public office to be influenced, contrary to the ethical standards and obligations of his position.

Mr. Mensah and Dr. Tagoe have each been charged with abetment of corruption and the use of public office for profit, in contravention of sections 20(1) and 179C(a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). It is alleged that they facilitated the receipt of bribes in furtherance of the corrupt scheme.

Mr. Bissue and Dr. Tagoe were arraigned before the High Court (Criminal Division) on 10 June 2025, where they pleaded not guilty to all charges, and are currently on bail. The matter is listed for a Case Management Conference in July 2025, following which the trial is expected to commence.

The second accused, Mr. Raphael Mensah, who had previously been at large and declared a wanted person, surrendered himself at the Office of the Special Prosecutor on 14 July 2025 upon his return from abroad.

He was arraigned before the court on 15 July 2025, where he pleaded not guilty. The court admitted him to bail in the sum of GHS 100,000, with two sureties, and further directed him to deposit his passport with the Registry and report to the Office of the Special Prosecutor every two weeks.