The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), with funding support from the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), has launched a national sensitisation campaign under the theme “Building Political Will and Public Support for Asset Recovery in Ghana.” The initiative aims to enhance public understanding of Ghana’s legal and institutional frameworks for recovering proceeds of crime and to encourage stronger media and civil society engagement in asset recovery efforts.

The launch coincided with a sensitisation workshop held at the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel in Accra, bringing together journalists and civil society organisations (CSOs) for a day of expert presentations and interactive discussions. The workshop served as a platform to discuss legal mandates, current enforcement gaps, and collaborative strategies to strengthen asset recovery systems.

In her opening remarks, Executive Secretary of GACC, Mrs. Beauty Emefa Narteh, emphasized the crucial role of media and civil society in ensuring transparency and accountability. “When the media fails in its duty, the public is left with incomplete and often misleading information, thereby undermining national efforts to fight corruption and recover stolen assets,” she said.
She further stated  the need for a firm understanding of Ghana’s legal framework, noting, “We need to understand Ghana’s legal framework on asset recovery and management to communicate accurate information and inspire civic engagement.”

Mrs. Narteh commended the growing professionalism among state institutions and noted a decline in political interference in asset recovery processes. She announced that similar sensitisation workshops would be organised regionally in the Northern, Western, Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Eastern regions as part of the wider effort to deepen public education and foster coordinated national advocacy.

Madam Yvette Anthea Owusu, Analyst at the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), educated participants on Ghana’s anti-money laundering regime and the role of the FIC in tracking illicit financial flows. She stressed that asset recovery is not just about retrieving stolen funds but also about disrupting criminal networks.
“The media and CSOs are vital in detecting and reporting suspicious activity. Public vigilance complements institutional action,” she said, highlighting the importance of early detection and information sharing.

Leo Anthony Siamah (Esq.), Head of Legal and Prosecution at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), underscored EOCO’s mandate to investigate and prosecute economic and organised crime. He called on journalists to be proactive and informed in reporting on asset recovery issues.
“Media reports must be guided by law and facts to avoid misinformation. At EOCO, we are ready to work with the media to improve public understanding of our work,” he stated.

Commissioner Albert Akurugu (Esq.), The Director of the Asset Recovery and Management Division at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), outlined legal procedures for asset declaration and forfeiture, saying,
“Fail to declare your assets and we find them, it becomes an automatic forfeiture.”

Commissioner Akurugu shared a concrete example of institutional impact, noting that “Recommendations from the OSP led to a 347% increase in auction revenue at the Customs Division, following reforms to prevent the undervaluation of seized vehicles.” He urged the media to continue supporting anti-corruption efforts through accurate and responsible reporting: “Corruption thrives in darkness. The media’s role is to shed light.”

As part of the discussions, participants explored current gaps in enforcement, the importance of inter-agency collaboration, and the role of advocacy in shaping policy reforms. The session concluded with a renewed commitment from media and CSO representatives to amplify public education on asset recovery and hold institutions accountable.

The national sensitisation marks the beginning of a broader public campaign that will include regional outreach and media engagements, all aimed at building an informed and active civic front to combat corruption and illicit financial flows in Ghana.