The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has issued its investigative findings into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences involving Charles Adu Boahen, a former Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance.

On November 14, 2022, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo requested the OSP to investigate the said allegations against Mr. Adu Boahen contained in an investigative documentary titled ‘Galamsey Economy’ produced by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

The complaint alleged that, through its sting operations, Tiger Eye P.I. audio visually recorded Mr. Adu Boahen in the act of his commission of corruption
and corruption-related offences. The complaint stated that undercover agents of Tiger Eye P.I., posing as businessmen who were interested in investing in Ghana, met with Mr. Adu Boahen and tabled their investment plans and proposals to
him.

The complaint alleged that, sensing an opportunity to cash-in on his
position as a Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Adu Boahen demanded twenty per cent (20%) of the value of the proposed initial investment or ten per cent (10%) upfront payment of the value of the proposed initial investment and post�investment sharing of the proceeds of the investment.

The complaint also alleged that Mr. Adu Boahen offered to introduce the
undercover agents to the President and the Vice President in aid of establishing
them as very influential persons in Ghana. It was alleged that this offer was premised on Mr. Adu Boahen’s stated close ties to the President – akin to an uncle and a nephew relationship, and his political connections to the Vice
President.

Again, the complaint further alleged that Mr. Adu Boahen demanded Two Hundred Thousand United States dollars (US$200,000.00) to be given to the Vice President for the purposes of facilitating a meeting to be set up by Mr. Adu Boahen between the Vice President and the undercover agents.

Accordinng to OSP the conduct of Mr. Adu Boahen amounts to trading in influence or influence peddling.

The findings revealed that this is the practice of using one’s influence or connections in public office or with persons in public office to obtain favours or preferential treatment
for oneself or for another person, usually in return for payment.

These acts have
not been specifically prohibited in our jurisdiction as crimes per se. However, they are gravely frowned upon and punishable as crimes in some jurisdictions.

It added that it is because such acts are closely associated with corruption offences like using public office for profit and they also form the building blocks of general corruption.

Then again, since they are closely associated with corruption, they
have the effect of delegitimising democratic governance.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

To access the complete report, please follow this link: osp.gov.gh/media/attachme…