The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has assured the general public of its commitment to fighting corruption.
To rid society of this menace, the OSP has identified four key issues that demand immediate attention and speedy investigation.
The four are the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) scandal, the former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah’s missing cash and seized assets, cleaning the government payroll and state lands.
At a presser on Wednesday, November 29, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng officially announced the commencement of investigations and corruption risk analysis into the aforementioned issues.
“The OSP has commenced corruption risk assessment and investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences with respect to the government of Ghana’s payroll administration. The investigation is aimed at isolating and removing non-existent names, recovering wrongful payment and prosecuting persons suspected to be culpable of any offences,” he stated.
Mr Agyebeng revealed that the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) is actively collaborating with his office regarding the investigation.
A joint project team of selected staff of the two institutions has subsequently been formed. The investigation will cover all banks and employees on the government’s payroll.
According to the Special Prosecutor, the exercise will occur in two phases. The first phase is the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the health institutions, and phase two will cover Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
“The OSP has commenced corruption risk assessment and investigation into the proposed partnership between Tema Oil Refinery and Tema Energy and Processing Limited. The Special Prosecutor has directed the management of TOR to suspend the proposed partnership agreement, ongoing negotiation, and operation immediately.
“The OSP has commenced investigation into the appropriation, sale and lease of state-owned lands and properties to individuals and cooperate bodies since 1993. The investigation covers all lands that fall under the direct stewardship of the Lands Commission, the Ministry of Works and Housing, and State Housing Companies.
“It will be recalled that in July, the OSP commenced an investigation into the financial activities of the former sanitation minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah. The OSP took several steps, including freezing and seizing her assets. The investigation has been largely aimed at identifying the source of her funds,” he added.
He further revealed that the office would be inviting law enforcement agencies with a direct money laundering mandate for collaborative work regarding Cecilia’s seized cash.