The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has initiated investigations and corruption risk analysis into three state matters.

These matters include the government payroll, state lands, and the proposed partnership between Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and Tema Energy and Processing Limited.

Kissi Agyebeng, the Special Prosecutor, stated that the OSP has the mandate to investigate and prosecute specific cases of suspected corruption and corruption-related offenses, as well as recover the proceeds of corruption and corruption-related offenses, which fall under these cases.

He made the announcement at a press conference on November 29, 2023.

Touching on the payroll, he said, “The assessment and investigation are especially aimed at isolating and removing non-existent names, recovering wrongful payments and the prosecution of persons suspected to be culpable for any offences.”

Kissi Agyebeng, the Special Prosecutor, mentioned that to carry out the corruption risk analysis, his office is collaborating with the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, and a joint project team has already been formed.

The assessment will be conducted in two phases, with the first phase covering the Ghana Education Service and health institutions, followed by Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

The investigations will encompass all banks and individuals on the government payroll. Additionally, the management of Tema Oil Refinery has been directed to suspend the proposed partnership agreement, ongoing negotiations, and operations with Tema Energy and Processing Limited until further notice.

Again, touching on state lands, he said “OSP has commenced an investigation into the appropriation, investigating state lands, stool lands and other vested lands to find sale and lease of state-owned land or properties to individuals and cooperate bodies since 1993."