The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has saved Ghana millions of cedis by flagging corruption risks in major state transactions, helping to prevent long-term financial losses and the transfer of public value into private hands.
According to the Director of Communications, Research and Strategy at the OSP, Sammy Darko, the office’s intervention in the controversial Agyapa Royalties transaction was pivotal.
The comments were made in a Facebook post by Sammy Darko, highlighting the broader economic impact of the OSP’s work beyond prosecutions, particularly in protecting public funds and preserving national assets for the benefit of Ghanaians.
He explained that corruption risks identified by the OSP raised red flags that ultimately halted the deal, protecting state revenue that could have been lost over time if the agreement had gone ahead.
Mr Darko noted that a similar outcome followed the proposed sale of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).
The OSP raised concerns over corruption risks linked to a planned partnership arrangement, leading to the suspension of the transaction. He said the intervention prevented the likely loss of a strategic national asset to private interests under questionable terms.
Beyond high-profile transactions, the OSP has also helped curb persistent financial leakages within the public sector.
Mr Darko revealed that investigations uncovered ghost names on public payrolls, despite the use of Ghana Card verification systems. These were individuals who either did not exist or were no longer entitled to salaries, yet continued to receive public funds.
He explained that removing these names stopped ongoing losses and safeguarded state resources, underscoring the financial value of the OSP’s preventive anti-corruption mandate.
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