The Special Prosecutor Mr. Kissi Agyebeng has vowed not to give up on corruption fight although he admits there are challenges with funding, under-resourcing which is a “major obstacle to the corruption fight”.
“Without money, we can’t do anything. We will be reduced to writing long letters without any force,” he warned.
In his view, without the material resources available, the good intention to fight graft will be an illusion.
“I look forward to the provision of adequate funding and the necessary materials resources as stipulated in Article 6 and 36 of the UN Convention in carrying this challenging and solemn mandate”.
He further stated that “I cannot help but state without adequate funding and the provision of the necessary material resources, the good intentions of my staff would remain just good intentions, nothing concrete to show for it”.
“As we mark the International anti-Corruption day and Anti-corruption week, I invite all well-meaning Ghanaians, let us turn the negative narrative of corruption, transform this republic and place it on a solid developmental track,” -He said
Mr. Agyebeng explained that “various divisions ought to be established on the ground; finance, administration, operations, investigations, prosecutions, strategies, communications, asset recovery, and management. All these have to be instituted.
“In respect of all these, without money, we cannot do this,” Mr. Agyebang added
But the Special Prosecutor said he is looking forward to the funds being made available.
“What was put there, I have seen, but it doesn’t match up to my expectations, but I cannot give up.”
“I do not see it as a closed case. I will keep pushing, we will keep pushing, and we will keep engaging, so we get the necessary resources to fund our operations,” he said.
The Special Prosecutor however commended the government for its efforts in helping to operationalise the office.
In the 2022 budget, GHS 170,504,000 was allocated to the office. GHS 65,000,000 of this amount is for the compensation of employees.
Meanwhile, the Special Prosecutor says as part of efforts to prevent corruption, the office will from January 2022 carry out an anti-corruption risk assessment on all major government contracts as well as the publication of a corruption perception index on all public institutions.
Updating the press on works done by his outfit so far, Mr. Agyebeng indicated that 31 cases before them have been reviewed and are being investigated.
He said the office “will in due course commence the prosecution of the cases it considers strong. There is no case commenced by the OSP pending in the courts at the moment.”
