7
Convictions
8
Prosecutions
GHS 4 million +
Recovered
GHS 135 million +
Savings
GHS 283 million +
Suspended Transactions
6 million +
People Sensitised
Prosecution
The OSP is prosecuting a number of corruption and corruption-related offences as mandated by section 2 (a) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).
There have been seven (7) convictions so far. The rest of the cases are at different stages of the trial process.
The OSP is committed to bring all persons charged, regardless of social status and partisan affiliation, to face the law.
Prosecutions are a major means of making corruption costly and unattractive.
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| S/N | Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Number of prosecutions initiated | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Read more |
| 2 | Pending prosecutions | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | Read more |
| 3 | Number of convictions | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Read more |
| 4 | Number of acquittals | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Read more |
| 5 | Number of discontinuances | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Read more |
| 6 | Plea bargaining | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Read more |
| 7 | Number of pending civil cases | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | Read more |
Frequency of data collection is bi-annual
Investigation
The OSP is emmpowered by section 3 (1) (a)(b)(c) of Act 959 and regulation 6 of the L.I. 2374, to investigate acts of corruption and corruption related offences if the circumstances indicate same. Subsequent to pre-investigation processes, the OSP proceeds to perform thorough forensic investigations to substantiate facts of the alleged acts of corruption to enable successful prosecutions.
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| S/N | Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Volume of Complaints Received * | TBD | 179 | 169 | 136 | Read more |
| 2 | Number of Investigations Initiated * | 70 | 27 | 19 | 13 | Read more |
| 3 | Number of Special Reports Published | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | Read more |
* These figures are cumulative of previous years.
Data reflects only publicly disclosed investigations.
Frequency of data collection is bi-annual
Asset Recovered
In the event of successful prosecutions or the determination of the OSP that acts of corruption or corruption-related offences have occurred, it is empowered under section 65 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) to, confiscate, recover, and manage tainted property. This specialised mandate enables the restitution of public assets lost through corruption to the state. In furtherance of the above mandate, the OSP has successfully recovered millions of cedis to the state. Additional recoveries will be made subject to the successful prosecution of ongoing cases.
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| S/N | Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | Indicator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Value of Assets Recovered | 312K | 2M | 0.00 | 1M | Read more |
| 2 | Value of Assets Seized | TBD | 0 | 516M | 0.00 | Read more |
| 3 | Amount Saved | TBD | 34M | 0.00 | 101M | Read more |
| 4 | Suspended / Canceled Transactions | TBD | 0 | 283M | 0.00 | Read more |
Figures are valued in Cedis
Frequency of data collection is bi-annual
Prevention
Pursuant to regulation 31 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Operations) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2374), the OSP is mandated to proactively prevent the occurrence of corruption and related offenses, resulting in significant savings for the public coffers. This entails implementing various measures to mitigate instances of grand corruption. Furthermore, the Office advocates implementation of additional measures and policies to prevent future corrupt practices, streamline administrative procedures in the public sector, and safeguard substantial financial resources. Through its vigilant and pre-emptive measures, the OSP effectively closes potential avenues for corruption, achieving the dual objectives of preventing corrupt activities and saving billions of Ghanaian cedis.
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| S/N | Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Number of people reached with anti-corruption sensitisation: In-person | 4,301 | 6,665 | 1,500 | 1,000 | View |
| 2 | Number of people reached with anti-corruption sensitisation: Traditional media | TBD | 4M | 4M | 2M | View |
| 3 | Number of people reached with anti-corruption sensitisation: Social media | TBD | 2M | 500k | 150k | View |
| 4 | Number of corruption prevention programmes and projects initiated | 2 | 18 | 2 | 1 | View |
Frequency of data collection is Bi-annual
SUSPENSION OF TOR - TORRENTCO DEAL
The timely investigative work of the OSP upended the leasing of a national asset, the Tema Oil Refinery (ToR), in a deal which bore the trappings of corruption. In a bid to revamp the struggling state refinery, the board of directors for ToR acceded to a 6-year lease agreement with Torrentco Assets Management Limited (TAML). The arrangement was purported as necessary to allow for the Optimisation of the refinery’s output and also to refurbish its ageing infrastructure. However, several groups including its own workers union and civil society organizations vehemently opposed the lease agreement. Questions were raised about the viability of TAML, which was found to lack both the experience and financial muscle, to enter into such an agreement.
It was also determined that TAML lacked the required licences and certifications to carry out the lease agreement. The lessee was later rebranded as Tema Energy Processing Limited and attempted to re-enter the lease agreement under the previous conditions. Following a petition, the OSP ordered the cessation of and negotiations or actions pertaining to the proposed agreement to enable it perform a thorough corruption risk assessment. This led to the TEPL withdrawing their interest in the lease agreement with TOR. In spite of the deal estimated to be worth US$ 22 million, Ghana stood to lose far more than that under the proposed terms.
PREVENTED PAYMENT OF GHC 5 MILLION IN INFLATED CONTRACT
The OSPs vigilance and prompt actions saved Ghana over GHC 5 million Ghana cedis following the termination of over-bloated contract by the Northern Development Authority (NDA). It was believed that the NDA issued contracts for consultancy services for the execution of a series of poverty alleviation projects under the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP) in the 11 constituencies in the Upper West Region. The OSP instructed the Controller and Accountant General’s Department to halt payments to the NDA after ascertaining that the contract had been bloated from GHC 5 million to GHC 10 million. Persons associated with the corrupt act were arraigned before court for prosecution.
`LABIANCA COMPANY LIMITED AND CUSTOMS DIVISION OF GHANA REVENUE AUTHORITY
In 2021, the Office commenced investigations pursuant to a complaint made against Labianca Group of Companies concerning the issuance of markups it received from the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The investigations substantiated that indeed, GRA, had wrongly awarded Labianca advanced ruling of 5% to 10% lower than the benchmark value for frozen foods it imported. Incidentally, the proprietor of Labianca Ltd, Eunice Jacqueline Buah Asomah-Hinne’s dual role as a member of the Council of State and a board member of the Ghana Port and Harbours Authority may have influenced the award of the preferential advance rulings.
Subsequent to the conclusion of the OSP’s case, the Parliament of Ghana scrapped the provisions that permitted the Customs Advance Rulings and benchmarking. This development effectively ended the dispensation of the discretional issuance of benchmark values and advance rulings by Customs officials. The former discretional system created leeway for the surreptitious avoidance of payment of taxes and import duties with the aid of Customs officials. The resultant ruling of Parliament was a direct consequence of the measures undertaken by the OSP to sanitise the system and effectively avert future corruption of the excise regime.
For the period May 2021 to August 2022, revenue from sale of auctioned goods at the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority stood at Ghc 28,827,912.91. As a result of conducting corruption risk assessment on that revenue stream, the OSP directed the GRA – CD to present Integrity Action Plan. In implementing the Integrity Action Plan, the OSP further directed the CD to ensure that Auction Sale Prices of vehicles and goods should include the duty and taxes payable on the commodities.
Upon conclusion of investigations, the Office estimated that GRA’s erroneous application of benchmark values to Labianca Ltd cost the state GHC1,074,627.15. Resultantly, the OSP issued a battery of administrative measures to sanitise the award of benchmark values and avoid the future occurrence of similar illegalities. Further, GRA was directed to produce an Integrity Plan aimed at ending the abuse of its discretionary powers granted to its officers in accordance with the Customs Act, 2015 (Act 891).
As a result of the intervention of the OSP in monitoring strict compliance of its directives to the GRA-CD, revenue from the sale of auction vehicles and goods from September 2022 to December 2023 shot up to Ghc. 125, 055,282.14, an increase in revenue by 333.8%.
The OSP handles prosecutions, while convictions are determined by the courts. On average, a criminal trial spans three years. The Office is currently prosecuting the following cases:
1. D13/01/22; The Republic v Alexander Kwabena Sarfo Kantanka Case:
2. NR/TL/HC/CCI/13/23; The Republic v Sumaila Abdul Rahman & Ors
3. CR/04492/2022; The Republic v Adjenim Boateng
4. NR/TL/HC/CC1/2/25; The Republic v Yakubu Tahidu & 5 Ors
Below are some of the notable cases investigated by the OSP.
| S/N | Case | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | GRA-Customs | Investigation concluded. Reforms were implemented, including changes to the conduct of auction sales and the repeal of the benchmark value law by Parliament. Officials who allowed corruption through inaction were dismissed or transferred. |
| 2 | Charles Adu Boahen | Former Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance. Investigation concluded, but the alleged crime (influence peddling) is not criminalized under existing law |
| 3 | Cecilia Dapaah | Former Minister of Sanitation. Investigation concluded and referred to EOCO, as the alleged crime (money laundering) falls outside the mandate of the OSP. |
| 4 | Wealthy Businessman | Allegations of attempt to bribe Members of Parliament by a wealthy businessman. Key alleger unwilling to substantiate allegation. Case concluded. |
| 5 | Government Payroll | The blockage of further payments to revealed “ghosts” on the government payroll saved Ghana an amount of GHS 34.2 million (GHC34,249,737.6) for the 2024 financial year, and further savings beyond 2024. |
| 6 | Airbus SE | Investigations concluded. The OSP found no evidence that Ghanaian officials involved in the purchase of military aircrafts were involved in bribery. |
YOUTH AGAINST CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN
Prevention of corruption remains one of the most important strategic focus of the Office in the unrelenting fight against corruption. The Youth who represent the future leaders of many countries are the target of this flagship programme by the OSP in pursuance of section 2 (c) of the OSP Act, 2017 (ACT 959) and Regulation 31 (1) (b) of the OSP Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2374) which mandates the Office to take steps to prevent corruption. Thus, the Office has initiated the “Youth Against Corruption Initiative” to continuously engage and sensitise the youth in a proactive move to instil the values of honesty, integrity, accountability, and transparency in them. Till date, several schools from Junior High to Senior High through to the Universities continue to benefit from this initiative.
DISRUPTION OF COUNTERFEITING SYNDICATE
The OSP disrupted the activities of a counterfeiting syndicate in a sting operation. Seizures made in warehouses in Accra and Tema realised US$40, 000,000 counterfeit notes, one of the largest of such busts in the history of Ghana. While the OSP proceeds with investigations into the matter with the Ghana Police Service, the prevention of the counterfeited notes from entering circulation spares the country dire economic, social, and political consequences.
CHARLES ADU BOAHEN
The OSPs investigations into the involvement of the former Minister of State for Finance, Charles Adu Boahen, in acts of corruption galvanized calls for the passage of relevant legislations to adequately fight corruption. Mr. Adu Boahen was captured in an investigative documentary soliciting a 20 percent stake in a purported US$ 500, 000,000 million investments from undercover journalists posing as investors. The release of the documentary occasioned the referral of the matter to the OSP by the President, H.E. Nana Addo Daquah Akufo-Addo for investigation. The investigations yielded a report by the OSP which cited Mr. Adu Boahen for Influence Peddling.
However, the OSP could not prefer prosecutorial actions against him since influence peddling fell outside the remits of the OSP’s mandate. The OSP report generated huge public discourse and debates by Ghanaians, civil society and the media on Influence Peddling and Sting Operations. However, the OSP report marked a watershed moment as it called for the passage of relevant laws on influence peddling, Conduct of Public Officers Act the Corrupt Practices Act. This will comprehensively define and prohibit all forms of corruption and appropriately govern the behaviour of public officials.
AGYAPA ROYALTIES DEAL
The OSP’s corruption risk assessment of the Agyapa Minerals Royalty identified numerous incidences and possibilities of corruption, leading to the subsequent suspension of the deal. In August 2020, the government of Ghana proposed to sell the majority of its future gold royalties to Agyapa Royalties Ltd, a public-private joint venture registered in the British protectorate of Jersey. The deal would have seen the sale of 49 percent of the company on the London Stock Exchange while the government would have retained 51 percent of the company. Agyapa Royalties would have had the mandate to create Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) to invest the country’s mineral incomes.
Following the referral of the matter to the OSP, a corruption risk and anti-corruption assessment was initiated into the conception of the deal and its attendant implications for the country. The OSP identified several breaches of corruption rules in the structuring of the deal and procurement processes for service providers. Also, the OSP highlighted that the deal created the necessary opportunities to facilitate illegal financial flows and money laundering. Consequently, the Ministry of Finance halted the listing of Agyapa Royalties on the London Stock Exchange, effectively preventing the long-term haemorrhaging of public funds courtesy of the Agyapa deal.
Indicator Definition
Freezing orders granted are applications for freezing of assets made to the Court that are granted by the latter to the OSP. Freezing orders are required to enable investigation in some cases.
The Percentage of Freezing orders granted is arrived at by the number of granted freezing orders, over the number of freezing order applications expressed as a percentage (Number of Granted Freezing Orders/Number of Freezing Order Applications × 100).
Justification: The OSP seeks to track the success rate of its freezing order applications to inform remedial measures.
Indicator Definition
Cases reported to the Investigations Division undergo preliminary investigations to determine viability for a full-scale investigation.
This indicator measures the percentage of cases that make it past preliminary investigation; an indication of the strength of cases reported to the OSP.
Justification: Low strength of cases reported over time could inform the need for targeted sensitisation.
Number of Prosecutions Initiated
-
Indicator Definition : This refers to the count of corruption and corruption-related charges brought to court by the Office.
-
Justification : One of its primary functions is to prosecute individuals when sufficient evidence implicates them in corruption and corruption-related offences.
-
2025
CR/0603/2025 Republic V Mustapha Abdul-Hamid & 9 Ors
The Office has charged seven individuals and three companies in connection with a GHC280 million extortion and money laundering scheme within the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
The scheme, allegedly orchestrated by former NPA CEO Mustapha Abdul-Hamid and two other officials, involved the unlawful collection and diversion of funds from petroleum transporters and oil marketing companies between 2022 and 2024.
Part of the proceeds was laundered through three corporate entities to acquire real estate and fuel-related assets. One suspect remains at large as prosecution begins and investigations continue.
CR/0513/2025 The Republic v. Issah Seidu & 3 Ors
The Office of the Special Prosecutor has charged four public officials—Issah Seidu, James Keck Osei, John Abban, and Peter Archibold Hyde—with corruption in relation to an attempted unlawful acquisition of ten containers of imported rice at the Tema Port.
The accused allegedly connived to clear the imported rice from Thailand with a fake letter of authorization from the Office of the Vice President. The accused are expected to appear before the High Court for plea proceedings.
NR/TL/HC/CC1/2/25 The Republic v Yakubu & 5 Ors
The OSP commenced criminal proceedings against six individuals before the High Court in Tamale, Northern Region, on charges related to payroll fraud and corruption. The accused persons – Yakubu Tahiru, Abdulai Abukari Sadic, Sammy Suuk, Mohammed Yusif Jay, Stafort Koletey Azudey-Barres, and Osman Isshaku were charged with 22 counts of corruption and corruption-related offences that resulted in financial loss to the state.
Upon the commencement of the case, the accused persons triggered the OSP’s plea bargaining regime under section 71(1) of Act 959 and voluntarily offered to admit to the offences, make restitution and provide information that will aid in the arrest and prosecution of other persons known to them as having committed or are about to commit corruption and corruption-related offences.
In accordance with section 71(7) of Act 959, the accused persons have paid to the State a total amount of One Hundred and Six Thousand Three Hundred and Nineteen cedis Sixty-Four pesewas (GHC106,319.64), being Twenty Thousand cedis (GHC20,000.00) as reparation and the sum of Eighty-Six Thousand Three Hundred and Eighteen cedis Ninety-Five pesewas (GHC86,318.95) as restitution.
The acceptance of the plea bargain means the accused have been convicted of the offences.
This case marks the first in a series of prosecutions arising from a joint forensic audit conducted by the OSP and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) into Government Payroll Administration covering the Northern Region only. The audit was undertaken in accordance with Regulation 31(1)(a) and (g) of the OSP (Operations) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2374), which empowers the OSP to prevent corruption through risk analysis and the publication of detected corrupt practices.
The investigation uncovered unearned monthly salaries amounting to GHS2,854,144.80, paid to individuals who were deceased, retired, had vacated their posts, were flagged as missing staff, or whose whereabouts were unknown. The subsequent removal of these ghost names from the payroll has saved the Republic GHS34,249,737.60 for the 2024 financial year alone, with future savings projected annually due to the intervention.
FT/0035/2025 Republic v. Ibrahim Kofi Sessah & Gloria Acquah
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has charged Mr Ibrahim Sessah, a Technician with the Local Government Service at Adeiso District, with Using Public Officer for Profit, Giving Bribe to Influence a Public Officer, and Money Laundering. The charges relate to a scheme involving the sale of Ghana Education Service (GES) appointment letters to prospective teachers. Investigations revealed that Mr Sessah acted in concert with three other suspects currently at large: Anthony Gyasi, an IT Officer at the GES Head Office; Sadia Alhassan, a teacher at Philip Quaque Boys Basic School; and Francis Asare, a private businessman.
Between January 2022 and December 2023, Mr Sessah allegedly received over GHS 6 million through his Zenith Bank account, including GHS 580,000.00 taken directly from at least 100 teacher applicants in exchange for placement. Mr Sessah was arraigned before the High Court (Financial Division 2), Accra, on 6 May 2025. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of GHS 6.5 million with two sureties to be justified with landed property. The case is pending trial, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the accomplices at large.
CR/0559/2025 The Republic v Charles Cromwell Nanabanyin Onuawonto Bissue & 2 Ors
On 28 April 2025, the Office of the Special Prosecutor filed criminal charges against Charles Cromwell Nanabanyin Onuawonto Bissue, former Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), and Andy Thomas Owusu with multiple counts of corruption and abuse of public office.
The charges include Six (6) counts of "Using Public Office for Profit", Three (3) charges of “Corruption by a Public Officer”, Three (3) charges of “Corruption of a public officer” and Three (3) charges of “Accepting Bribe to influence a public officer” which falls under the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
-
2024
CR/0257/2024 The Republic v Adjenim Boateng Adjei
Previously, Mr. Adjei was standing trial together with his brother-in-law, Mr. Francis Kwaku Arhin. On 17 April 2024, the Office withdrew the initial charge sheet and replaced it with eight (8) 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, exclusively in respect of Mr. Adjei.
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2023
NR/TL/HC/CC1/13/23 The Republic v Sumaila Abdul-Rahman & Ors
Sumaila Abdul-Rahman (former Chief Executive of the Northern Development Authority), Stephen Yir-Eru Engmen (former Deputy Chief Executive, Operations), Patrick Seidu (former Deputy Chief Executive, Finance and Administration), and Andrew Kuundaari (Chief Executive of A&Qs Consortium Limited) have been charged with eleven counts of corruption and related offences following investigations.
-
2022
D13/01/22 The Republic v Alexander Kwabena Sarfo-Kantanka
Alexander Kwabena Sarfo-Kantanka, the President’s nominee for Juaben Municipal Chief Executive, was arrested, investigated, and charged with corruption. He allegedly attempted to bribe elected assembly members and government appointees with GH₵5,000 and GH₵2,500, respectively, to secure votes. Following his electoral defeat, he demanded refunds, an incident captured on video.
CR/0492/2022 The Republic v. Adjenim Boateng Adjei & Another
The trial of Adjenim Boateng Adjei, former Chief Executive of the Public Procurement Authority, and his brother-in-law was before the Criminal Division of the High Court, Accra. Mr Adjei faced eight counts of using public office for profit and nine counts of directly or indirectly influencing procurement processes to gain an unfair advantage in public contract awards. His brother-in-law is charged with one count of using public office for profit. The case was dropped and refiled in 2024.
Pending Prosecutions
-
Indicator Definition : This is the number of active prosecutions, thus prosecutions that are ongoing.
-
Justification : Prosecution of corruption and corruption-related cases is a core mandate of the OSP.
-
2025
CR/0603/2025 Republic V Mustapha Abdul-Hamid & 9 Ors
CR/0513/2025 The Republic v. Issah Seidu & 3 Ors
FT/0035/2025 Republic v. Ibrahim Kofi Sessah & Gloria Acquah
CR/0559/2025 The Republic v Charles Cromwell Nanabanyin Onuawonto Bissue & 2 Ors
NR/TL/HC/CC1/13/23 The Republic v Sumaila Abdul-Rahman & Ors
CR/0257/2024 The Republic v Adjenim Boateng Adjei
-
2024
NR/TL/HC/CC1/13/23 The Republic v Sumaila Abdul-Rahman & Ors
CR/0257/2024 The Republic v Adjenim Boateng Adjei
D13/01/22 The Republic v Alexander Kwabena Sarfo-Kantanka
-
2023
NR/TL/HC/CC1/13/23 The Republic v Sumaila Abdul-Rahman & Ors
CR/0492/2022 The Republic v Adjenim Boateng Adjei & Another
D13/01/22 The Republic v Alexander Kwabena Sarfo-Kantanka
Number of Convictions
-
Indicator Definition : This refers to the number of cases that lead to the conviction of one or more accused persons.
-
Justification : Convictions are a hallmark of successful prosecution. They are the most celebrated outcome from the Office’s work.
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2025
CR/04/07/2025 The Republic V Charles Bissue & Andy Thomas Owusu
The High Court has convicted Andy Thomas Owus, the second accused in the case of The Republic v. Charles Bissue and Another, which relates to alleged corruption in the operations of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM). Owus was convicted on his own plea after the court accepted a plea agreement entered under section 71 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).
Owusu, the second accused in the case of The Republic v. Charles Bissue & Another, was convicted on his own plea after the Court accepted a plea agreement entered under section 71 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959). He was charged on two counts of Corruption of a Public Officer and Accepting Bribe to Influence a Public Officer.
Owusu faced charges of corruption of a public officer and accepting a bribe to influence a public officer. He admitted to receiving GH¢15,000 from an undercover agent posing as a representative of ORR Resources Enterprise, in a scheme designed to bypass the Committee’s vetting process and unlawfully secure a mining licence.
Following his guilty plea, the court imposed a fine of 500 penalty units—equivalent to GH¢6,000—and ordered him to pay GH¢200,000 as restitution to the State. Owus remains a convict.
The IMCIM was dissolved in January 2021 following multiple allegations of corruption. Investigations by Tiger Eye P.I. uncovered the bribery scheme, leading to charges against both officials. The first accused remains on trial.
NR/TL/HC/CC1/2/25 The Republic vs Yakubu & 5 Ors
On 30 April 2025, the High Court sitting in Tamale duly considered a plea bargain agreement submitted by the six accused persons in the matter referenced above. Upon review, the Court accepted the terms of the agreement and entered convictions against all six individuals on a total of twenty-two (22) counts, comprising offences of corruption, false certification, and causing financial loss to the Republic. The convicted persons are as follows:
Tahidu Yakubu, Former teacher at Balogu M/A Junior High School, Yendi (Balogu JHS)..
Abdulai Abubakari Sadic, Integrated Municipal Personnel Payroll Database (IPPD) Coordinator at Yendi..
Sammy Suuk, Schools Improvement Support Officer (SISO) for Yendi North Circuit.
Mohammed Yusif Jay, Former Headmaster of Balogu M/A Junior High School, Yendi..
Stafford Korletey Azudey-Barres, Assistant Chief Accounts Technician at the Controller and Accountant General’s Department, Accra.
Osman Issahaku, Current Headmaster of Balogu M/A Junior High School, Yendi.This case marks the first in a series of prosecutions arising from a joint forensic audit conducted by the OSP and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) into Government Payroll Administration covering the Northern Region only. The audit was undertaken in accordance with Regulation 31(1)(a) and (g) of the OSP (Operations) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2374), which empowers the OSP to prevent corruption through risk analysis and the publication of detected corrupt practices.
The investigation uncovered unearned monthly salaries amounting to GHS2,854,144.80, paid to individuals who were deceased, retired, had vacated their posts, were flagged as missing staff, or whose whereabouts were unknown. The subsequent removal of these ghost names from the payroll has saved the Republic GHS34,249,737.60 for the 2024 financial year alone, with future savings projected annually due to the intervention.
Number of Acquittals
-
Indicator Definition : This refers to the number of cases where the accused are acquitted by the Courts, and the number of persons granted acquittals.
-
Justification : The duty of a public Prosecutor is not merely to secure the conviction of the accused at all costs but to place before the court whatever evidence is in the possession of the prosecution, whether it be in favour of or against the accused and to leave the court to decide.
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2025
D13/01/22: The Republic V Alexander Kwabena Sarfo-Kantanka
The High Court in Kumasi has acquitted and discharged Alexander Kwabena Sarfo-Kantanka, President Akufo-Addo’s nominee for Municipal Chief Executive of Juaben in the Ashanti Region. He had been standing trial since May 2022 on 26 counts of corruption related to a public election.
Mr Sarfo-Kantanka gained national attention after a viral video appeared to show him demanding refunds from assembly members, allegedly after paying them to support his confirmation. The judgment, initially expected in November 2024, was delayed following the sudden transfer of the trial judge. It was eventually delivered in May 2025.
In her ruling, Justice Priscilla Dikro Ofori held that the video and accompanying evidence failed to prove that the monies were meant to influence the votes of the assembly members.
The Office has filed an appeal challenging the decision of the High Court in Kumasi.
Justification:
Number of Discontinuances
-
Indicator Definition : This refers to cases that are discontinued, mostly owing to new evidence that suggests there is no need for prosecution.
-
Justification : The OSP pursues cases based on their merit. When this merit no longer holds in whole or part, the OSP has an obligation to discontinue the case in the interest of justice.
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2024
FT0074/2023 The Special Prosecutor v Cecilia Abena Dapaah & Daniel Osei-Kufour
Investigations revealed the case primarily involved suspected money laundering and structuring, matters within the remit of other law enforcement agencies.
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2022
MSFT/23/2019 The Republic v Mahama Ayariga & Another
On 11 October 2021, the Special Prosecutor entered a nolle prosequi, stating that the available evidence was insufficient to prove abuse of public office for private gain beyond a reasonable doubt.
Plea Bargaining
-
Indicator Definition : This refers to cases where the accused agrees to settle a case by plea bargain.
Plea Bargain is a negotiation in which the accused agrees to enter a plea of guilty (often to a lesser charge) or offer a form of restitution or both and the prosecutor agrees to drop a more serious charge or no charge at all. -
Justification : Plea bargain is recognized as serving justice at a reduced cost. The savings made in avoiding trial and the admission of the accused to some form of crime are rationale for plea bargains.
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2025
CR/04/07/2025 The Republic V Charles Bissue & Andy Thomas Owusu
The High Court in Accra on 4 June 2025 convicted Thomas Andy Owusu in a corruption case tied to illegal mining licensing.
Owusu, the second accused in the case of The Republic v. Charles Bissue & Another, was convicted on his own plea after the Court accepted a plea agreement entered under section 71 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959). He was charged on two counts of Corruption of a Public Officer and Accepting Bribe to Influence a Public Officer.
Thomas Andy Owusu is required to pay a fine of 500 penalty units (GHS 6,000) and restitution of GHS 200,000 to the state for accepting GHS 15000 to influence a pubic officer.
NR/TL/HC/CC1/2/25 The Republic vs Yakubu & 5 Ors
The six accused persons in this case opted for a plea bargain. . The accused admitted the charges and have repaid a total of GHS 106,318.95, made up of GHS 86,318.95 in restitution (refund of unearned salaries) and GHS 20,000 as reparation (penalty). This plea bargain was approved by the Tamale High Court, thereby convicting them of the 22 charges levelled against them.
This case marks the first in a series of prosecutions arising from a joint forensic audit conducted by the OSP and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) into Government Payroll Administration covering the Northern Region only. The audit was undertaken in accordance with Regulation 31(1)(a) and (g) of the OSP (Operations) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2374), which empowers the OSP to prevent corruption through risk analysis and the publication of detected corrupt practices.
The investigation uncovered unearned monthly salaries amounting to GHS2,854,144.80, paid to individuals who were deceased, retired, had vacated their posts, were flagged as missing staff, or whose whereabouts were unknown. The subsequent removal of these ghost names from the payroll has saved the Republic GHS34,249,737.60 for the 2024 financial year alone, with future savings projected annually due to the intervention.
Number of Pending Civil Cases
-
Indicator Definition : Civil cases involve disputes between individuals or entities regarding rights, obligations, or damages. They also serve as a means for the Office to recover assets gained through corrupt practices (non-conviction-based forfeiture).
The OSP can sue and be sued. -
Justification : --
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2025
Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta v. Office of the Special Prosecutor & Kissi Agyebeng
Next Date: 15 July 2025, for the court to set the matter down for hearing.
Court : Human Rights Court 1
Suit No. : HR/0078/2025
Facts:
The applicant, Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, filed an originating motion on notice seeking, among others, the removal of his photograph and details from the OSP's wanted list published on its website. He further seeks compensation. The grounds for the application include:
a. The alleged lack of legal authority for the OSP to declare a person wanted, in violation of the applicant’s fundamental human rights.
b. Alleged breach of administrative justice and abuse of discretionary powers.
Case Status:
On 18 June 2025, the court dismissed an application for interim injunction filed by the applicant. The substantive case remains pending.
The Republic v. Circuit Court 2; Ex Parte Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta (Office of the Special Prosecutor as Interested Party)
Court : Criminal Court 1
Suit No. : GJ/0858/2025
Facts:
This is an application invoking the supervisory jurisdiction of the High Court under Article 141 of the 1992 Constitution and Order 55 of the High Court Civil Procedure Rules, 2004 (CI 47). The applicant seeks:- An order of certiorari to quash the decision of Circuit Court 2 which issued Arrest Warrant No. 01/2025 on 12 February 2025.
- An order to restrain the OSP from acting on the said arrest warrant.
The grounds cited include alleged illegality and breach of the Wednesbury principles.
Case Status:
The matter is scheduled for hearing on 2 July 2025.
Charles Bissue v. Office of the Special Prosecutor & Kaneshie District Court
Court : Human Rights Court 2
Suit No. : HR/0101/2023
Facts:
The applicant, Charles Bissue, filed a human rights application seeking the following reliefs:
a. An order to quash the arrest warrant issued against him. b. An order to quash the OSP’s notice declaring him wanted. c. A mandamus compelling the OSP to comply with Regulation 6 of L.I. 2374 by providing him with copies of petitions that form the basis of investigations in which he is considered a necessary party. d. An order prohibiting the OSP from applying for further arrest warrants and from allegedly persecuting him.
Case Status:
The Supreme Court has prohibited the judge originally assigned to the matter. The case will be reassigned to a new judge.
Awaiting: Hearing notice for reassignment and continuation..
Volume of Complaints Received
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Indicator Definition : This refers to the total number of corruption complaints received via the OSP’s corruption reporting platforms (including walk-ins)
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Justification : --
Number of Investigations Initiated
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Indicator Definition : This refers to the number of cases that come to the Investigations Division to formally investigate.
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Justification : The number of cases initiated correlates positively with the number of cases being reported by the OSP or picked up by staff of the OSP.
Number of Investigations Finalised
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Indicator Definition : Investigations concluded refers to cases that have been brought to their logical conclusion by the Investigations team in charge, and the case officially closed.
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Justification : The percentage of concluded investigations is an indication of the efficiency and effectiveness of the OSP’s investigative effort.
Number of Special Reports Published
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Indicator Definition : Special reports refer to the communication that is disseminated to the public on the outcome of major, complex cases or high-profile cases.
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Justification : --
Value of Assets Recovered
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Indicator Definition : The value of assets seized comprises movable assets, including cash, vehicles, and equipment, and immovable assets, such as land and buildings.
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Justification : Recovery of the proceeds of crime is an object of the OSP.
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2025
CR/04/07/2025 The Republic V Charles Bissue & Andy Thomas Owusu
The High Court in Accra on 4 June 2025 convicted Thomas Andy Owusu in a corruption case tied to illegal mining licensing.The High Court convicted the second accused, Thomas Andy Owusu, in a corruption case related to illegal mining licensing.
The accused admitted the charges of Corruption of a public officer and Accepting Bribe to influence a public officer. Under the agreement he will pay a total amount of GHS 206,000. This amount is made up of a fine of 500 penalty units (GHS 6,000) and restitution of GHS 200,000.
NR/TL/HC/CC1/2/25 The Republic V Yakubu & 5 Ors
The six accused persons in this case opted for a plea bargain, which was approved by the Tamale High Court.
The accused persons admitted the charges and have paid a total of GHS 106,318.95, made up of GHS 86,318.95 in restitution (refund of unearned salaries) and GHS 20,000 as reparation (penalty). -
2024
Payroll Savings
In 2024, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), working with the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD), conducted a corruption risk assessment into Government Payroll Administration in the Northern Region.
The investigation uncovered “ghost names” – salaries being paid to deceased, retired, missing, or ineligible persons. In January 2024, the OSP blocked unearned monthly salaries amounting to GHC 2,854,144.80.
This single intervention has saved the Republic GHC 34,249,737.06 for the 2024 financial year alone. The savings will continue every year these ghost names remain off the payroll, representing a major win in protecting public funds through proactive anti-corruption measures.2022
Customs Advance Investigations
This amount represent a shortfall of revenue arising from the issuance of unlawful customs advance which are supposed to be duties paid to the State for importation of frozen foods by Labianca Company Limited
Value of Assets Seized
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Indicator Definition : The value of assets seized includes physical cash and balances in frozen bank accounts.
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Justification : This indicator is one of the ways to measure the OSP’s corruption prevention efforts.
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2023
The Office thwarted a counterfeit currency syndicate, seizing $40 million in fake currency. This amounts to a total of GHS 516,000,000.00 (at an exchange rate of $1 = GHS 12.9)
Amount Saved
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Indicator Definition : Amount saved refers to the value of money saved to the state from OSP intervention.
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Justification : The office aims to prevent corruption, thus safeguarding state funds from loss.
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2024
Payroll Savings
In 2024, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), working with the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD), conducted a corruption risk assessment into Government Payroll Administration in the Northern Region.
The investigation uncovered “ghost names” – salaries being paid to deceased, retired, missing, or ineligible persons. In January 2024, the OSP blocked unearned monthly salaries amounting to GHC 2,854,144.80.
This single intervention has saved the Republic GHC 34,249,737.06 for the 2024 financial year alone. The savings will continue every year these ghost names remain off the payroll, representing a major win in protecting public funds through proactive anti-corruption measures. -
2022
The Office suspended port auction sales for restructuring and legal compliance, requiring auctioneers to pay applicable duties and taxes on goods and vehicles.
As a result of the intervention of the OSP in monitoring strict compliance of its directives to the GRA-CD, revenue from the sale of auction vehicles and goods from September 2022 to December 2023 increased in revenue by 333.8%, and future savings of that amount for every year of compliance.
The Office has not yet received data regarding the savings generated from discontinuing the unlawful practice of lowering benchmark values (from 5% to 10%) for imported goods through customs advance rulings by Parliament. Nevertheless, it is anticipated that the state will realize considerable savings as a result.
The OSPs vigilance and prompt actions saved Ghana over GHC 5 million Ghana cedis following the termination of over-bloated contract by the Northern Development Authority (NDA). It was believed that the NDA issued contracts for consultancy services for the execution of a series of poverty alleviation projects under the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP) in the 11 constituencies in the Upper West Region. The OSP instructed the Controller and Accountant General’s Department to halt payments to the NDA after ascertaining that the contract had been bloated from GHC 5 million to GHC 10 million. Persons associated with the corrupt act were arraigned before court for prosecution.
Suspended Transactions
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Indicator Definition : Suspended transactions" are contracts, procurements, negotiations, deals, and other commercial activities halted by the office due to suspected corruption.
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Justification : This indicator is one of the ways to measure the OSP’s corruption prevention efforts.
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2023
The OSP’s investigation halted the leasing of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) in a deal suspected of corruption. TOR’s board had agreed to lease the refinery to Torrentco Assets Management Limited (TAML) for six years to optimise output and refurbish infrastructure. However, concerns arose over TAML’s lack of experience, financial capacity, and the necessary licences.
TAML later rebranded as Tema Energy Processing Limited (TEPL) and attempted to re-enter the agreement under the same terms. Following a petition, the OSP ordered a suspension of all negotiations to conduct a corruption risk assessment, leading to TEPL’s withdrawal. Although the deal was valued at US$22 million, Ghana risked incurring even greater losses. The amount was converted into cedis at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of the contract’s suspension.
Legal Enforcement
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Indicator Definition : Number of confirmation orders obtained and/or denied from the courts following seizure.
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Justification : The OSP is legally obligated to confirm seized assets within (7) seven days and frozen accounts within (14) fourteen days.
International Cooperation
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Indicator Definition : Value of assets recovered through cross-border collaboration.
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Justification : Corruption often involves cross-border elements such as illicit financial flows and transnational organised crime, requiring cooperation with foreign agencies to track assets, share intelligence, and enforce laws effectively. Collaboration enhances investigations, strengthens prosecutions, and prevents safe havens for corrupt actors.
Number of people reached with anti-corruption sensitisation: In-person
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Indicator Definition : This refers to the number of people who have participated in anti-corruption sensitisation programmes organized by the OSP or by other organizations that feature a presentation by the OSP.
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Justification : Anti-corruption sensitisations are designed to sensitize people to engage in anti-corruption behaviour.
Number of people reached with anti-corruption sensitisation: Traditional media
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Indicator Definition : This refers to the estimated number of people who have been reached by OSP anti-corruption sensitisation via traditional media platforms – TV, radio, newspaper.
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Justification : Anti-corruption sensitisations are designed to sensitize people to engage in anti-corruption behaviour.
Number of people reached with anti-corruption sensitisation: Traditional media
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Indicator Definition : This refers to the number of corruption prevention programmes and projects initiated by the OSP.
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Justification : Justification: Corruption prevention programmes and projects are designed to sensitize people to engage in anti-corruption behaviour.
Indicator Definition
Lifestyle Audits are an investigation into the source of a person’s wealth. These audits are occasioned by suspicion of illegitimate source of wealth.
In the case of the OSP, a lifestyle audit occasions an investigation when the source of wealth is deemed to come from corruption and corruption-related offenses.
Justification: Lifestyle audits are a means of bringing to justice persons who are outside the orbit of any case pursued by the OSP but have wealth originating from corruption and corruption-related activities.
Indicator Definition
Average Percentage appreciation refers to the increase in value of assets under the management of the OSP resulting from prudent management practices.
Justification: This is determined by the change in value of the assets over time expressed as a percentage of the original value of the assets.
Indicator Definition
Anti-corruption research refers to research that is undertaken on the subject of corruption with remedial measures covered.
NB: Research that becomes perennial would be transitioned to stand-alone indicators
Justification: Anti-corruption research aims to uncover findings and make recommendations that would help reduce corruption.
Indicator Definition
Corruption Risk Assessments are probes that flag weaknesses within a system or portfolio that may present opportunities for corruption.
Indicator Definition
This refers to the total number of corruption complaints received via the OSP’s corruption reporting platforms.
Justification: This indicator tracks the volume of corruption complaints received. It speaks to the visibility and credibility of the OSP.
Indicator Definition
This refers to significant outputs, outcomes and impacts achieved through corruption prevention activities of the OSP.
Justification: The activities undertaken by the OSP’s prevention efforts may lead to significant results that need to be documented.