The National Cathedral project is the subject of an investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) into suspected corruption and corruption-related offenses.
The investigation focuses on the National Cathedral Secretariat’s disbursements, former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta’s payments, the procurement of contractors and materials, and other activities associated with the Cathedral’s construction.
In addition, the OSP is looking into possible corruption in the agreements between Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and Tema Energy and Processing Limited, as well as problems with TOR’s administration and operation from 2020 to 2024.
The Office also stated that it is looking into the widespread sale of appointment letters to potential teachers and the money laundering associated with the illegal business.
On Tuesday, August 19, the OSP published its 2025 Half-Year Report, which included this information.
The report also disclosed that the Office is investigating the National Commission on Culture’s operations from 2020 to 2024, with an emphasis on alleged extortion and corruption in connection with staff salary and arrears payments.
Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng stressed in the report’s preface that incarceration and punitive measures alone will not win the war against corruption.
He clarified that prevention, asset recovery, and the disgorgement of contaminated property are all given significant weight in the OSP’s legislative structure.
“Consequently, we are pursuing sustainable anti-corruption outcomes by pairing enforcement with robust prevention and asset recovery, especially under our unique plea bargaining regime,” he noted.
In addition to winning convictions and asset recovery through effective plea bargaining, he said the Office has stepped up its preventive mandate by actively interacting with civil society, commercial sector actors, and public institutions.
Mr. Agyebeng also emphasized the necessity of updating and retooling Ghana’s anti-corruption legal system.
“We have proposed the inclusion of a new chapter in the Constitution dedicated to the fight against corruption. This will firmly establish the Republic’s collective resolve against corruption through clear constitutional measures, such as lifestyle audits, non-conviction-based asset recovery, enhanced asset declaration and verification, and a reverse onus presumption of corruption as the foundation for both criminal proceedings and civil asset recovery,” he said.
He also said that the OSP is leading the charge to pass the Conduct of Public Officers Act and the Comprehensive Corrupt Practices Act.
“The Office, as one of three implementing partners of the new National Ethics and Anti-Corruption Strategy and Implementation Plan, is developing structures that will stand the test of time. The task ahead remains formidable, but so is our resolve to deliver,” he affirmed.
Source: newsthemegh.com