The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has released its seventh half-yearly report, covering January 1 to July 31, 2025, detailing significant developments in Ghana’s fight against corruption.
The report, presented by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, prominently features former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, mentioned 54 times, and former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah, among other high-profile officials.
Ofori-Atta declared fugitive, under investigation for corruption
The report captured former Minister of Finance, Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, as being under investigation for suspected corrupt practices, including influencing procurement processes for contracts related to the National Cathedral Project, Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited, and the purchase of 307 Mercedes-Benz ambulances.
The OSP declared Ofori-Atta a fugitive from justice on February 12, 2025, after he failed to attend scheduled interrogation, citing medical reasons abroad.
Despite agreeing to return by May 2025, Ofori-Atta’s lawyers later cited a cancer diagnosis, delaying his appearance.
OSP re-declares Ken Ofori-Atta a fugitive
The report noted that the OSP rejected his offer for a video interview and re-declared him a wanted person on June 4, 2025, triggering an INTERPOL Red Notice for his arrest and extradition.
Ofori-Atta’s legal challenges, including a dismissed High Court application to quash an arrest warrant, continue, with a human rights case adjourned to October 23, 2025.
Cecilia Dapaah’s case referred to EOCO
The report revisits the investigation into former Minister of Sanitation, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.
The probe was initiated in July 2023, over suspected corruption involving large sums of money and valuables.
After seven months of investigation, including a parallel probe by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the OSP, according to the report, found no direct evidence of corruption but identified indications of money laundering and structuring.
The case was referred to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in January 2024, returned in May 2024, and re-forwarded to EOCO on May 29, 2025, for further investigation into the suspected financial crimes.
Cecilia Dapaah not cleared by FBI, investigations still ongoing – OSP
Improper acquisition of state lands investigation against Sir John’s estate
The report by the OSP also highlighted a pending investigation into the estate of the late former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie, alias Sir John.
According to the OSP, the ongoing investigation covers allegations of improper acquisition of state-protected land at the Achimota Forest enclave and the Sakumono Ramsar site by a deceased former Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission.
Prosecutions and convictions
The OSP reported seven convictions and one acquittal during the period, with an appeal filed against the acquittal of Alexander Kwabena Sarfo-Kantanka.
Notable cases include charges against Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, former CEO of the National Petroleum Authority, and nine others for extortion and money laundering; and the former Secretary to the now-defunct Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining, Charles Bissue, who is facing charges of corruption and using public office for profit.
The OSP also reported having secured convictions in a payroll fraud case involving six individuals, saving the nation over GH¢34 million annually by removing “ghost names” from the government payroll.
Ongoing investigations and reforms
In terms of statistics, the report stated a total of seven convictions by the OSP, 23 persons standing trial, 67 ongoing investigations, and 152 other cases.
The ongoing investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) include investigations into the Minerals Income Investment Fund, Ghana Airports Company Limited, and the National Cathedral Project.
The half-year report also mentioned proposals by the OSP to the Constitutional Review Committee for constitutional amendments to strengthen Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts, including a dedicated anti-corruption chapter and lifestyle audits for asset recovery.
