Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng
The office of the Special Prosecutor is investigating some 130 cases of corruption and corruption-related offences involving individuals and organisations.
The cases involve Mr Charles Adu Boahen, the sacked Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, the estate of the late CEO of the Forestry Commission, Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (Sir John), the Gaming Commission, Ghana Police Service, National Sports Authority, among others.
Read the list of cases below:
Charles Adu Boahen
Upon a referral by the President of the Republic by a letter dated 14 November 2022, the office commenced an investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of Charles Adu Boahen, a former Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance.
The corruption allegations are contained in an investigative documentary titled, Galamsey Economy – published by Tiger Eye P.I. and the investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
Allegations of Attempt to Bribe Members of Parliament by Wealthy Businessman
The Office has commenced an investigation into allegations of an attempt by an unnamed and wealthy businessman to bribe some members of the majority caucus of Parliament. The Office has triggered a liaison with the office of the Speaker of Parliament in this regard.
Electricity Company of Ghana Limited
The office has commenced an investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of 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).
Gaming Commission of Ghana
The office has commenced an investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of the procurement of and the award of a contract to Turfsport Ghana Limited by the Gaming Commission of Ghana.
Illegal Mining
The Office has commenced an investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of illegal small-scale mining. 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
The Office has commenced an investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of 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
Ghana Water Company Limited
The Office has commenced an investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of 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.
The OSP has also commenced an investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of the auction sales of vehicles and other goods by the Customs Division between 1 July 2016 and 15 August 2022.
Airbus SE
An investigation is ongoing in respect of alleged bribery by Airbus SE, a European multinational aerospace corporation, in respect of the sale and purchase of military aircraft 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.
Bank of Ghana
An 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.
Ghana Police Service
An investigation is ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of the recruitment exercise of Course 51 of Cadet Officers Training at the Ghana Police Academy.
The investigation targets specific cases of alleged corruption and corruption-related offences and acts of the use of office for profit, abuse of office, abuse of power, favouritism, nepotism, victimisation and the selection of unqualified persons.
Estate of Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie alias Sir John
An investigation is ongoing in respect of the 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.
Following the refusal by the High Court, Accra to affirm the freezing order issued by the Special Prosecutor, the Office appealed to the Court of Appeal, Civil Division, Accra for a reversal of the decision of the High Court to facilitate the investigation and the final resolution of the matter.
Other Cases
The Office is also investigating one hundred and twenty (120) 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.
In the dying embers of 2022, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng said he does not think Ghana is collectively ready to fight corruption, pointing out that he does not see much commitment from the government to that end.
“Are we ready for the fight against corruption? From where I sit, I don’t think we are”, he said on Accra-based Joy FM on Saturday, 31 December 2022.
“We expect so much from the institutions fighting corruption but, collectively, are we ready?” he asked.
“A good measure of the reason why I say we are not ready yet, is that more than 60% of persons fear retaliation if they report corruption”, he explained, adding: “It is very dire”.
In his view, “even law enforcement agencies, even the office of the Special Prosecutor, even the Special Prosecutor himself, is not spared this spectre of pushback retaliation and that is why I situate it in the question I asked that: ‘Are we ready?’ Everyone should ask themselves”.
Mr Agyebeng wondered: “On the part of anti-corruption institutions, and by this, I am referring to the flagship agencies, Office of the Special Prosecutor, CHRAJ, EOCO and other anti-corruption agencies: are we really doing what the republic has tasked us to do or we are engaging in our own predilections?”
“We have done much in collaboration, in forging ahead together, in fighting corruption, but is there more we can do? I believe we can do more”, he noted.
“We can win the fight against corruption”, he insisted.
“So, I charge the anti-corruption agencies: let us do so. Let us not disappoint Ghana,” Mr Agyebeng said.
Mr Agyebeng also wondered: “On the part of the government, is the government ready for the fight against corruption? From where I sit, I have not seen much commitment. I’ve heard lip service paid to the fight against corruption. Is the government ready for the fight against corruption? From where I sit, once again, I do not see much”.
Source: ClassFMonline.com
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