Ghana’s State Anti-corruption Institutions

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) is a state agency established under the 1992 Constitution to promote administrative justice, protect fundamental rights, and address corruption in public service. It serves as one of the most accessible institutions for citizens seeking redress and a key institution for promoting accountability and good governance in Ghana. The role of CHRAJ: ●Investigates corruption, abuse of office, and violations of administrative justice ●Enforces asset declaration and conflict of interest rules for public officials ●Receives complaints from individuals and institutions and conducts inquiries ●Handles whistleblower complaints and provides protection under the Whistleblowers Act ●Promotes preventive measures to reduce opportunities for corruption in public institutions ●Provides advice and support to strengthen integrity systems ●Conducts public education and advocacy on anti-corruption and accountability ●Requests documents and summons individuals for investigations ●Recommends corrective action and refers cases to the Attorney-General and Auditor-General where necessary.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is an independent anti-corruption agency established by an Act of Parliament, the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959). Tasked with investigation, prosecution, asset recovery, and prevention of corruption, the OSP was established to strengthen Ghana’s anti-corruption fight. The OSP operates with a high degree of independence, handling corruption cases involving public officials, politically exposed persons, and private actors. Role of the OSP: ●Investigates corruption and corruption-related offences in both the public and private sectors ●Initiates and conducts prosecutions independently based on evidence gathered ●Receives and acts on complaints and referrals from individuals and institutions such as Parliament, CHRAJ, and the Auditor-General ●Traces, freezes, and recovers proceeds of corruption, including unexplained wealth ●Seizes and manages suspected tainted property and assets linked to corruption ●Requires disclosure of assets and financial information during investigations ●Exercises police powers, including arrest, search, and seizure in the course of investigations ●Takes steps to prevent corruption through systems review, intelligence gathering, and anti-corruption measures

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is a specialised state agency established under the Economic and Organised Crime Office Act, 2010 (Act 804). It was created to investigate and combat economic and organised crime, particularly offences that result in financial losses to the state. EOCO also focuses on recovering proceeds of crime and works closely with national and international partners to address illicit financial and organised criminal activities. Role of EOCO: ●Investigates economic and organised crimes, including corruption-related financial offences ●Prosecutes serious offences involving financial or economic loss to the state (on the authority of the Attorney-General) ●Recovers proceeds of crime and facilitates confiscation of illicit assets ●Monitors financial and criminal activities to detect related or emerging offences ●Prevents economic and organised crime through intelligence and enforcement measures ●Shares intelligence and collaborates with local and international law enforcement agencies ●Exercises powers of search, seizure, and arrest in the course of investigations ●Supports national efforts to combat money laundering, fraud, cybercrime, and other serious financial crimes

The Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice serves as the chief legal authority of the state. It is responsible for prosecuting criminal cases and ensuring that laws are properly applied. Role of the AG and Ministry of Justice: ●Prosecutes corruption cases in court on behalf of the state ●Provides legal guidance to government institutions ●Drafts, reviews, and reforms anti-corruption legislation ●Works with investigative bodies to prepare cases for trial