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The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has concluded investigations into allegations of using public office for personal profit by the former Secretary to the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), Charles Bissue.
In its half-year report outlining the various corruption and corruption-related cases it is handling, the Office said it had also completed investigations into the recruitment of Course 51 Cadet Officers at the Ghana Police Academy.
It said investigations into the procurement and award of a contract to Turfsport Ghana Limited by the Gaming Commission were also concluded and that the Special Prosecutor would issue directives and take further action in due course in all the cases.
According to the report, the OSP was currently investigating a total of 16 cases, with an additional 197 cases at different review stages.
The key cases include one on the National Cathedral, the Bank of Ghana, the National Service, post-election violence and illegal mining.
Following a petition by the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Okudzeto Ablakwa, to the Commission on Human Rights and Administration Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the construction of the National Cathedral over alleged mismanagement of state funds, the Commission found that state revenue had been used for the project and that there had been mismanagement of the funds by the Board of Trustees.
As a result, CHRAJ called for further investigation and potential prosecution of those involved.
The OSP stated that it had considered the case and had commenced its own investigation into the matter.
"The OSP, deeming it necessary, has begun investigating suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding the procurement of contractors and materials, payments by former Minister of Finance, Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, payments by the National Cathedral Secretariat, and activities surrounding the construction of the National Cathedral," the office confirmed.
The report also noted that the OSP was investigating alleged corruption by senior officials at the Bank of Ghana, which was believed to have contributed to the collapse of several financial institutions across the country in 2018.
"The investigation is ongoing in relation to the banking and financial sector crisis, which led to the collapse of some banks and financial institutions, as well as the financial sector clean-up and recapitalisation reforms.
The investigation targets alleged corruption and corruption-related offences committed by officials of the Bank of Ghana, banks, specialised deposit-taking institutions, and financial holding companies," it said.
In the case of the National Service scandal, reported by The Fourth Estate of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), which involves top officials of the scheme allegedly inflating the payroll with ghost names to generate funds, the OSP confirmed that it had "Commenced an investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences related to the recruitment of national service personnel and other activities of the National Service Authority".
The OSP is also investigating the controversial acquisition of the Achimota Forest land by the late former Head of the Forestry Commission, popularly known as Sir John.
"Investigation is ongoing in respect of the 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."
Additionally, the OSP revealed that it is currently handling 197 other cases at various stages of consideration.
"The Office is also investigating 197 cases at different levels.
These may be publicised if the Special Prosecutor determines they fall within the office's mandate and should proceed beyond the preliminary investigation stage.
This policy is intended to protect the privacy of individuals and the business operations of institutions, as well as to avoid unnecessary stigmatisation."
To further discourage corruption, the OSP noted that it was currently organising capacity-building training for young people, the media and other key societal groups to help spread the campaign against corruption.
