In a bold move to reshape Ghana’s anti-corruption landscape, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng called for a constitutional amendment to empower the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in its fight against corruption.
Speaking at a High-Level Conference on Ghana’s Anti-Corruption Architecture, Mr. Agyebeng emphasized the need to extend asset recovery efforts beyond traditional public offices to include private sector individuals implicated in corrupt activities.
“The fight against corruption cannot be limited to public officials alone. We must recognize that private individuals who seek to corrupt public offices are equally culpable. Our mandate has evolved, and it is time our legal framework reflects this reality,”Mr. Agyebeng stated.
The OSP’s current mandate focuses primarily on conviction-based proceedings, which Mr. Agyebeng argues hinders effective asset recovery. He proposed that the principle of lifestyle audits be enshrined in the Constitution, allowing authorities to scrutinize the financial backgrounds of both public and private individuals suspected of engaging in corruption.
“Every person must have legitimate sources of income sufficient to justify their property holdings,” he explained. “When a person’s wealth significantly exceeds their legitimate earnings, that unexplained portion should be subject to confiscation.”
Mr. Agyebeng highlighted the dual benefits of such measures, stating that they would not only aid in recovering stolen assets but also serve as a deterrent against tax fraud and undeclared income. “We must shift our focus from solely criminal proceedings to civil asset recovery processes,” he urged. “Conviction should not be a prerequisite for asset recovery. We need effective tools that allow us to act swiftly and decisively.”
The Special Prosecutor’s remarks resonate with growing calls for comprehensive reforms in Ghana’s anti-corruption strategy. His vision includes applying civil rules of evidence to confiscation and restraint proceedings, making confiscation orders appealable to the Court of Appeal.
“The time for action is now,” Mr. Agyebeng declared passionately. “We cannot afford to let corruption undermine our democracy and development. Together, we can build a robust framework that holds all individuals accountable, regardless of their status.”
Source: www.kumasimail.com
