Ofori-Atta (Right) and Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has announced that it is investigating suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in connection with the National Cathedral project, particularly regarding the procurement of contractors and materials, payments made by former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, disbursements by the National Cathedral Secretariat, and other activities related to the construction of the Cathedral.
The OSP is also probing suspected corruption in contractual arrangements between Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and Tema Energy and Processing Limited, as well as issues surrounding the operation and management of TOR between 2020 and 2024.
Additionally, the Office confirmed it is investigating the large-scale sale of appointment letters to prospective teachers and the laundering of proceeds from the unlawful enterprise.
This was disclosed in the OSP’s 2025 Half-Year Report, released on Tuesday, August 19.
The report further revealed that the Office is examining the operations of the National Commission on Culture between 2020 and 2024, with a particular focus on suspected corruption and extortion in relation to the payment of staff salaries and arrears.
In the preface to the report, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng emphasized that the fight against corruption cannot be won solely through punitive action and incarceration.
He explained that the legislative set-up of the OSP places strong emphasis on prevention, asset recovery, and the disgorgement of tainted property.
“Consequently, we are pursuing sustainable anti-corruption outcomes by pairing enforcement with robust prevention and asset recovery, especially under our unique plea bargaining regime,” he noted.
According to him, the Office has intensified its preventive mandate through active engagement with public institutions, private sector actors, and civil society, while also securing convictions and asset recovery through impactful plea bargaining.
Mr. Agyebeng also stressed the need for Ghana’s anti-corruption legal framework to be modernized and retooled.
“We have proposed the inclusion of a new chapter in the Constitution dedicated to the fight against corruption. This will firmly establish the Republic’s collective resolve against corruption through clear constitutional measures, such as lifestyle audits, non-conviction-based asset recovery, enhanced asset declaration and verification, and a reverse onus presumption of corruption as the foundation for both criminal proceedings and civil asset recovery,” he said.
He further disclosed that the OSP is spearheading efforts for the passage of a Comprehensive Corrupt Practices Act and a Conduct of Public Officers Act.
“The Office, as one of three implementing partners of the new National Ethics and Anti-Corruption Strategy and Implementation Plan, is developing structures that will stand the test of time. The task ahead remains formidable but so is our resolve to deliver,” he affirmed.
Source:3news.com
