The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has released his fourth ‘Half-Yearly Report’ as mandated by section 3(3) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).
The comprehensive report covers the period from 1 July 2023 to 31 December 2023, providing insights into the activities, achievements, challenges, and future prospects of the Office in its relentless fight against corruption.
In the foreword of the report, Mr Agyebeng highlighted the remarkable achievements of the Office during the second half of 2023 and emphasized the positive impact of the Office’s intensified operations in investigating corruption and corruption-related cases, prosecuting suspected offenders, recovering and managing assets, and implementing corruption prevention measures.
“Pursuant to section 3(3) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), I am pleased to present the fourth Half Yearly Report during my tenure as the Special Prosecutor. This report offers insights into the investigations and prosecutions conducted by the Office spanning the period 1 July 2023 to 31 December 2023”.
Kissi Agyebeng
The Special Prosecutor, Mr Kissi Agyebeng further expressed satisfaction with the increased public interest and scrutiny generated by the activities of the Office.
According to him, the heightened national discourse on the fight against corruption reflects a collective acknowledgement of the need for continuous examination and apprehension of corrupt practices entrenched in the country.
Kissi Agyebeng Highlights OSP Major Setbacks
However, Mr. Agyebeng did not shy away from addressing challenges faced by the Office, including attempts to discredit its principal officers unfairly and unjustly.
He noted formidable resistance and pushback from individuals directly and indirectly impacted by the Office’s efforts.
The Special Prosecutor indicated that despite these challenges, the Office remains resilient and committed to its mandate as the flagship anti-corruption agency.
Commenting on the resource of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, Mr Kissi Agyebeng noted that even though there was a marginal increase in the Office’s resourcing, the office saw a substantial deficit in its establishment budget and operational resources.
He stressed the need for significant resources to align with current trends and the sophistication of corrupt enterprises.
“As we welcome the general elections year of 2024, we must all resolve to keep the fight against corruption aflame”.
Kissi Agyebeng
Moreover, Mr Kissi Agyebeng highlighting on the various cases his outfit has pursue indicated that even though there has not been any convictions or acquittals in respect of the cases it is undertaken during the period under review, three substantive criminal cases are being tried before the courts.
According to the report, the case includes the trial of the former Chief Executive of Public Procurement Authority Adjenim Boateng Adjei and his brother-in-law, Francis Kwaku Arhin at the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court.
In the above case, Mr. Adjei has been charged with multiple 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, while his brother-in-law, Francis Kwaku Arhin has been charged with one (1) count of using public office for profit.
Again, the second case involves the trial of 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 which is pending before the Criminal Division of the High Court, Tamale.
Here, the Office of the Special Prosecutor half-year report indicated that the four (4) accused persons are facing a total of eleven (11) counts of corruption and corruption-related offences comprising conspiracy to directly or indirectly influence the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage in the award of a procurement contract.
The final case according to the report involves the trial of the President’s nominee for the position of Chief Executive of Juaben Municipal Assembly in the Ashanti Region which is pending before the Criminal Division of the High Court, Kumasi, where the accused has been charged with twenty-six (26) counts of corruption in respect of a public election.
Additionally, the report indicated that the Office has commenced a preliminary investigation into contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited, and Ghana Revenue Authority.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor is also undertaking an investigation into the appropriation, sale and lease of State-owned lands and properties to individuals and corporate bodies since 1993 and corruption risk assessment and investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of the Government of Ghana payroll administration.
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