The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), led by its Programmes Assistant, Ms. Dorcas Affum Tenkorang, has sensitised residents of the Techiman North District on the mandate of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the critical role citizens must play in the national fight against corruption.
The forum, which took place at the Royal Gardens Hotel in Tuobodom in the Bono East Region, was attended by 30 participants drawn from selected institutions within the district.
Ms. Dorcas Affum Tenkorang took participants through a detailed presentation on what corruption is, how it manifests, and how it affects national development. She explained that corruption drains state resources, destroys public trust, and worsens poverty, inequality, and poor service delivery.
She further led discussions on the definition and manifestations of corruption, the background and purpose of establishing the OSP, and the scope of offences the OSP investigates and prosecutes. She highlighted the impact of the OSP’s work, its reporting obligations, and the challenges that weaken Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts. She also stressed the crucial role citizens must play in resisting, rejecting, and reporting corruption.
According to her, the programme aims to strengthen the effectiveness of government agencies, enhance the participation of civil society, particularly women, youth groups, and the media in policymaking and accountability, and promote digitalisation and collaboration among anti-corruption actors within the criminal justice chain.
In an interview with our reporter, she disclosed that GACC organised the event as part of the Strengthening the Rule of Law and the Fight Against Corruption project under the Participation, Accountability and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy programme. The initiative, she stated is sponsored by GIZ with funding support from the European Union and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs.
“Today’s forum is part of a project titled Strengthening the Rule of Law and the Fight Against Corruption, which falls under the Participation, Accountability, and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy initiative.
“The project is sponsored by GIZ, with funding support from the European Union and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. The main purpose of this forum is to sensitize the populace about the mandate of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). We want citizens to fully grasp the importance of the OSP in the fight against corruption and corruption-related activities in the country, as well as understand the vital roles we, as citizens, play in this fight.” She said.
As part of the presentation, she reminded participants that corruption is committed by both public and private actors who abuse entrusted power for personal or third-party gain. She explained various forms of corruption, including bribery, extortion, fraud, embezzlement, nepotism, favouritism, facilitation payments, and conflict of interest.
She also outlined why the state created the OSP under Act 959, referencing Ghana’s commitments to international and regional conventions such as the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, and ECOWAS protocols.
The facilitator detailed the core functions of the OSP, including investigating and prosecuting corruption and corruption-related offences, recovering stolen public assets, coordinating with other anti-corruption bodies, and publishing periodic updates on cases handled as participants were briefed on major OSP prosecutions between 2022 and 2025, which have resulted in seven convictions and the recovery of significant public funds.
The Programmes Assistant for the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, further revealed that similar forums are being organized across 60 districts in all 16 regions, supported by ongoing radio sensitisation programmes aimed at deepening public understanding of the OSP’s mandate and enhancing community participation in Ghana’s anti-corruption agenda.
“This project is being implemented in 60 districts across all 16 regions of the country. Apart from the forum, we are also conducting radio talk shows to enhance public sensitization.” She said
The Executive Director of COPIO and GACC focal person for the Bono East Region, Mustapha Maison Yeboah, on his part disclosed that the program focuses on the institution rather than the individual occupying the office, stating that corruption undermines national development and exposes Ghana to multiple crises.
According to him, citizens’ understanding of corruption, the institutions tasked with combating it, and their civic responsibilities is crucial in the fight against corruption.
“Today’s program focuses on the mandate of the Office of the Special Prosecutor. The emphasis is on the institution itself, not the individual who currently occupies the office.
‘We have learned that corruption is an enemy to the state, as it slows development and exposes the country to various crises. Therefore, if we all understand what corruption is, the institutions mandated to fight it, and our responsibilities as citizens, it will go a long way in strengthening the national fight against corruption.” He told our reporter.
He further urged citizens to report corruption-related activities to the appropriate authorities or, if necessary, to COPIO, which will ensure proper follow-up. He, however, cautioned whistleblowers against publicly disclosing their identities.
“As citizens, we should report any corruption-related activities to the appropriate authorities or, if necessary, to the Centre of Posterity Interest Organization (COPIO), and we will take it from there.
“Most importantly, we must avoid telling others or boasting about blowing the whistle on a corrupt individual or activity, as doing so may endanger our lives.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
