The Special Prosecutor, Mr. Kessi Agyebeng, revealed that Ghana loses an estimated $3 billion annually due to corruption. According to the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), corruption encompasses a wide range of offenses, including bribery, extortion, and the misuse of public office for personal gain.
Mr. Agyebeng said that investigations often uncover instances where public officials illicitly allocate state lands, or where state funds end up in private accounts. He emphasized that such corrupt practices result in poorly executed or non-existent public projects, perpetuating poverty and underdevelopment.
He stated, “When officials and businesses engage in corrupt practices, funds intended for public projects often end up in private pockets, leading to poorly executed projects or, worse, no projects at all.”
The $3 billion lost to corruption annually represents a significant amount that, if recovered, could be used to improve public services, reduce dependency on loans, and stimulate economic growth. Mr. Agyebeng urged Ghanaians to combat corruption to ensure resources are available for essential services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure, which would create a more favorable environment for private sector growth and job creation.
“Controlling or reducing corruption will provide enough resources for everyone, making us less dependent on loans and allowing for the construction of hospitals, schools, roads, and more,” he added.
The Special Prosecutor stressed that corruption remains a major obstacle to national development and prosperity, diverting critical funds from essential services and stifling economic growth by creating an uneven playing field and discouraging investment.
