OSP makes strikes under Kissi Agyebeng
Two years after being sworn into office, the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has chalked a number of successes since replacing his predecessor Martin Amidu.
These include the establishment of an administrative and operational system.
This has involved moving the Office from a 3-bedroom house to 10-storey building, and retrofitting the empty 10-storey structure into a fitting Office.
They OSP has also moved from zero permanent staff to 249 in September.
They have also improved citizens’ engagement through the establishment of a functioning website and multiple social media handles, and instituted a toll free line for the filing of complaints.
The OSP has also managed to secure EU Funding for a cyber-security laboratory, which included a Forensic laboratory.
He has also acquired Operational vehicles and vehicles for senior staff.
Ongoing cases
The OSP is also prosecuting five cases in three regions.
These cases are The Republic V Adjenim Boateng & Another (CR/04492/2022), The Republic V Issah Seidu (CR/0174/2023), The Republic V Alexander Kwabena Sarfo-Kantanka (D13/01/22), The Republic V Sumaila Abdul Seidu &Andrew Kuundaari (NR/TL/HC/CC1/13/23), OSP V. Charles Owusu & Another (Estate of Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie) – FT/0040/2022, and OSP V. Cecilia Abena Dapaah (FT/0072/2023).
Completed Investigations
He has also completed Investigations into the wealthy businessman bribery attempt in Parliament, Charles Adu Boahen, The Gaming Commission, and Charles Bissue. All the above investigations are awaiting consequential orders from the courts.
Ongoing investigations
Among the list of Investigations the OSP is undertaking are those involving the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Limited, Illegal Mining also known as galamsey, the National Sports Authority, the Ghana Water Company (GWCL), the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Airbus SE, The Bank of Ghana (BoG), Ghana Police Service (GPS), and investigations into the Estate of the late Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie, alias Sir John.
Revenue Mobilisation
In terms of revenue mobilisation, the OSP has stopped the payment of NDA contract sums in excess of GHS 5M
He has also commenced investigations into the issuance of Customs advance rulings and markdowns as well as the irregular auction and sales of vehicles, while wider investigations ongoing into the matter.
The OSP has also managed to recover a little over one million Ghana cedis in the period.
Due to the intervention of the Special Prosecutor, auction sales (prices of items) now includes duties & taxes papayable.
In the mean time, auction sales by the Authority has risen by over 12% per month on the average
The creation of an E-auction application has also enhanced transparency.
Other achievements
As part of its successes, the OSP Intensified public education on Corruption and Issued two major special corruption reports.
These are the Customs- Labianca report, and the Northern Development Authority report.
It has also embarked on Public education on the role and functions of the OSP.
The Special Prosecutor has in the two years since assuming office issued a Compliance of prevention of corruption directive to Ghana Revenue Authority (production of Integrity plans) and also published up-to-date Statutory half yearly reports.
Since Kissi Agyebeng was sworn-in, the OSP has become an active member of the Commonwealth Africa Anti-corruption Agencies.
In the same period, it has become an active member of International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA) as well as the Interpol Global Focal Point Network.
Same can be said for the OSP’s membership of the FIU goAML platform.
The Office has also signed MOUs with Grant Thornton (Asset Recovery) and the World Bank.
It has also witnessed the onboarding of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS).
