2024 Half-Year Report: List of Some Cases Being Investigated by OSP
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is currently investigating 213 cases of corruption and corruption-related offences.
In its released report on its work for the second half of 2024, it delved into 16 of the cases.
They are:
Ghana Revenue Authority/Tata Consulting Services
The Office has commenced investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of the procurement processes leading to the award and execution of a contract by the Ghana Revenue Authority to Tata Consulting Services for the implementation of Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) for the Domestic Tax Revenue Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority.
National Service Authority
The Office has commenced investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of the activities of the National Service Authority, especially the recruitment of national service personnel and related activities.
Ministry of Health/Service Ghana Auto Group Limited
The Office has commenced investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of a contract awarded by the Ministry of Health (initially commenced by the Ministry for Special Development Initiatives) to Service Ghana Auto Group Limited and attendant payments for after-sales service and maintenance of 307 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 305 CDI ambulances for the National Ambulance Service.
National Cathedral
Following the conclusion of an investigation by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on 22 November 2024 of a complaint of allegations of corruption, abuse of power and infringement of the code of conduct for public officers in respect of the construction of the National Cathedral, and the referral by CHRAJ to the OSP for further investigations, if necessary – the OSP, deeming it necessary, has commenced investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of the procurement of contractors and materials; payments by a former Minister of Finance, Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta; payments by the National Cathedral Secretariat; and the activities regarding the construction of the National Cathedral.
Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited/Ghana Revenue Authority
After preliminary investigation commenced on 19th December, 2023 into contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority for the stated objective of the enhancement of revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and minerals and metals resources value chain; and after a comprehensive review by the Office of the audit report published by the accounting firm KPMG dated 27th March 2024, which was conducted at the instance of the President and intended at assessing the propriety of procurement and contracting processes as well as the appropriateness of cost value analysis in the performance of the contracts – the OSP has commenced full investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of the contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority.
Tema Oil Refinery and Tema Energy and Processing Limited
Following the institution of an analysis of the risk of corruption in respect of a proposed partnership agreement between Tema Oil Refinery and Tema Energy and Processing Limited, the Office has commenced full investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of the arrangements between Tema Oil Refinery and Tema Energy and Processing Limited; and the operation and management of Tema Oil Refinery.
Electricity Company of Ghana Limited
Investigation is ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption related offences regarding 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). The investigation has progressed from the preliminary stage to full investigation status; and it targets the actions of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Energy.
Government of Ghana Payroll Administration
The OSP and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) jointly commenced corruption risk assessment and investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of Government Payroll Administration. The assessment and investigation are especially aimed at isolating and removing the names of non-existent, ineligible, and undeserving persons from government payroll, recovering wrongful payments and unearned salaries, prosecuting persons suspected to be culpable for any offences, and the institution and implementation of internal controls in respect of payroll processing and payment of salaries.
To facilitate the roll-out of the investigation and assessment throughout the country, a pilot exercise was carried out in the Northern Region (covering educational institutions under Ghana Education Service and the Tamale Teaching Hospital) by a joint team, comprising investigators, tracers, and assessors from the OSP and selected staff of the Payroll Processing Directorate of CAGD between December 2023 and April 2024. On 20 May 2024, the OSP and the CAGD published an investigation report on the pilot exercise.
The exercise resulted in the blockade in January 2024 of a total amount of Two Million Eight Hundred and Fifty-Four Thousand One Hundred and Forty-Four cedis Eighty pesewas (GHC2,854,144.80), which was traced as representing unearned monthly salaries being paid to persons who are deceased, retired, vacated their posts, flagged as missing staff, or whose whereabouts are unknown (colloquially referred to as “Ghost Names”).
The blockade of the amount of Two Million Eight Hundred and Fifty-Four Thousand One Hundred and Forty-Four cedis Eighty pesewas (GHC2,854,144.80) and the removal from Government Payroll of the corresponding deceased, retired, post vacators, the missing, and those whose whereabouts are unknown has saved the Republic an amount of Thirty-Four Million Two Hundred and Forty-Nine Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty Seven cedis Six pesewas (GHC34,249,737.6) for the 2024 financial year, and future savings of that amount (in addition to future periodic upward pay adjustments) for every year that the unearned-salaries-amount would have remained undetected but for the joint investigation and assessment by the OSP and CAGD.
The OSP is taking steps to recover unearned salaries paid in respect of deceased, untraceable, and retired persons and persons who have vacated their posts. Further, the OSP and CAGD are engaged in the process of directing internal control mechanisms in respect of payroll processing to substantially reduce the incidence of the processing and payment of unearned salaries. The OSP and CAGD would proceed by extending the investigation to the remaining fifteen regions of the Republic under Phase I of the exercise. The OSP will further pursue the prosecution of persons suspected to be culpable for corruption and corruption-related offences in this regard.
Ghana Education Service
The Office has commenced extensive investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of the sale of Ghana Education Service (GES) appointment letters and employment to applicants. The investigation covers a network of some staff of GES and middlemen suspected to be engaged in the use of public office for profit through the sale of appointment letters and employment to applicants.
State Lands, Stool Lands, and other Vested Lands
The Office is proceeding with investigation into the appropriation, sale and lease of State-owned lands and properties to individuals and corporate bodies since 1993. The investigation covers all lands and properties that fall under the direct stewardship of the Lands Commission; the Ministry of Works and Housing; all other Ministries; State Housing Company; State Owned Companies; and other State agencies. The investigation also covers the management of vested lands and all public lands over which the State’s ownership or control has been relinquished and the conditions of release. Further, the investigation covers the sale, lease, grant, and disposal by the Lands Commission to individuals and corporate entities of some parcels of land and bungalows occupied by the Judicial Service of Ghana.
Illegal Mining
Investigation is ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption related offences regarding illegal mining – referred to as Galamsey. The investigation targets 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
Investigation is ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption related offences regarding 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
Investigation is ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption related offences regarding 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. Investigation is also ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding the auction sales of vehicles and other goods by the Customs Division between 1 July 2016 and 15 August 2022
Bank of Ghana
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.
Estate of Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie alias Sir John
Investigation is ongoing in respect of 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.
