We have recovered GH¢35 million, prevented GH¢7 billion loss - OSP

Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has secured massive recoveries and prevented extensive financial leakages through high-profile prosecutions, systemic payroll audits, and regulatory interventions.

Official indicator data released by the anti-graft agency confirms that total recovered assets have reached GH¢ 35.14 million, while seized and frozen assets stand at a staggering GH¢ 618 million.

Crucially, the OSP’s proactive measures averted direct financial losses of GH¢ 7.18 billion to the State, supported by the suspension or cancellation of seven questionable transactions and 17 pending civil applications for asset preservation.

A major focus of the agency’s enforcement drive involved tracking down diverted petroleum products lifted between 2023 and 2024.

Investigating officers successfully retrieved GH¢ 8,518,233.00 from a network of bulk oil distributors and marketing entities.

Official agency reports revealed that “the Office recovered Eight Million Five Hundred and Eighteen Thousand Two Hundred and Thirty-Three Cedis (GH¢ 8,518,233.00) in respect of investigation regarding diversion of petroleum products that were lifted in 2023 and 2024” by firms including Big Energy, Energetic Petroleum, Goodness Energy, Jet Petroleum, Kabore Oil, La Clem Ghana, Maxx Energy, Moari Oil Company, N3, Naagamni Ghana Ltd., Onxyma Company, Petro Sankofa, Plus Energy, Quantum Petroleum, Sotei Energy, and West Port Petroleum.

The Special Prosecutor also achieved major financial breakthroughs across state institutions and judicial proceedings.

Following inquiries into irregularities within the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) gold trading programme, the OSP recovered USD 2 million, equivalent to GH¢ 22.38 million using the Bank of Ghana exchange rate of GH¢ 11.19 as of 26 November 2025.

Judicial convictions further boosted public funds after the Accra High Court convicted Thomas Andy Owusu in a corruption case tied to illegal mining licensing.

Court documents confirm that “the accused admitted the charges of Corruption of a public officer and Accepting Bribe to influence a public officer,” agreeing to pay GH¢ 206,000, which includes a GHS 6,000 fine and GH¢ 200,000 in direct state restitution.

Similarly, in Tamale, six individuals prosecuted over salary fraud opted for a plea bargain approved by the Tamale High Court, paying GH¢ 106,318.95 comprising GH¢ 86,318.95 in unearned salary restitutions and GH¢ 20,000 as court penalties.

Additional preventive measures yielded vital savings on the public payroll and trade sectors.

Working alongside the Controller and Accountant General’s Department, the OSP uncovered “ghost names” on the Northern Region public payroll, blocking unearned monthly salary payouts of GH¢ 2,854,144.80 in January 2024 alone.

Further enforcement targeted a duty shortfall resulting from unlawful customs advance rulings granted to Labianca Company Limited on frozen food imports.

The agency remains steadfast in its mandate to enforce accountability, disgorge illicit wealth, and safeguard public resources.