Ghana Urged to Strengthen Anti-Graft Agencies to Meet International Standards

The Africa Institute of Governance and Security (AIGS) has called on the Ghanaian government to adopt a strategic and resolute approach to strengthen anti-graft agencies in the country. This move is aimed at aligning Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts with the rigorous benchmarks set by the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).

According to Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, Governance Specialist and Security Strategist at AIGS, Ghana’s anti-graft agencies, including the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), need to be strengthened to effectively curb corruption among public sector workers.

To achieve this, AIGS recommends that the government:

Safeguard the autonomy of these institutions through constitutionally backed independence.
Ensure transparent and merit-driven appointments, shielded from political influence.
Secure sustainable funding to bolster operational capacity.
Invest in specialized training programs. focusing on anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and advanced investigative methodologies
Establish a coordinated inter-agency task force. to enhance collaboration and streamline intelligence sharing

AIGS also emphasizes the need for legislative empowerment, granting these agencies prosecutorial authority and the ability to impose swift penalties. Additionally, the institute recommends enforcing mandatory asset declarations, conducting periodic lifestyle audits of public officials, and instituting a robust whistleblower protection framework.

By implementing these measures, Ghana can fortify its anti-graft institutions, deter public sector malfeasance, and position itself as a beacon of governance integrity across the continent.

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AFRICA INSTITUTE
OF GOVERNANCE AND SECURITY March 27,2025.

Urging Ghana to adopt a Strategic and Resolute approach to Strengthen anti- graft agencies to meet GIABA’s Rigorous Benchmark.

The Africa Institute on Governance and Security urges the Mahama
government to adopt a strategic and resolute approach to strengthen anti
graft agencies, including the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), to align with GIABA standards and curb corruption among public sector workers.

We advocate for safeguarding the autonomy of these institutions through constitutionally backed independence, ensuring appointments are transparent, merit-driven, and shielded from political influence, while securing sustainable funding to bolster operational capacity. The government must invest in specialized training programs focusing on anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorism financing (CFT), and advanced investigative methodologies, complemented by cutting-edge tools such as Al-driven analytics to trace corrupt practices effectively.

We recommend the establishment of a coordinated inter-agency task force to enhance collaboration, streamline intelligence sharing, and eliminate jurisdictional redundancies, thereby amplifying their collective impact.
Legislative empowerment is imperative-amendments should grant these agencies prosecutorial authority and the ability to impose swift penalties, meeting GIABA’s rigorous benchmarks. To address corruption at its roots, the Mahama administration should enforce mandatory asset declarations, conduct periodic lifestyle audits of public officials, and institute a robust whistleblower protection framework with tangible rewards, fostering a culture of accountability.

The Africa Institute on Governance and Security calls for active engagement with civil society and the media to promote transparency and public oversight, reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to GIABA’s regional anti-corruption framework. By implementing these measures, the Mahama government can fortify its anti-graft institutions, deter public sector malfeasance, and position Ghana as a beacon of governance integrity across the continent.

Signed

Dr.Palgrave Boakye -Danquah
Gorvernance Specialist and Security Strategist.