Sale of Teacher Recruitment and Appointment Letters probed by OSP

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has launched an investigation into alleged large-scale corruption involving the sale of appointment letters to prospective teachers. The case also covers suspected laundering of funds generated from the unlawful scheme.

Details of the probe were captured in the OSP’s 2025 Half-Year Report, released on Tuesday, August 19. According to the report, the inquiry forms part of broader investigations into corruption and corruption-related offences across several public institutions.

The OSP further disclosed that it is examining the operations of the National Commission on Culture between 2020 and 2024, particularly allegations of extortion and irregularities tied to staff salary payments and arrears.

Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, in the preface of the report, stressed that tackling corruption in Ghana requires more than prosecutions and imprisonment. He said the OSP’s mandate equally prioritises prevention, asset recovery, and the confiscation of ill-gotten wealth.

“Consequently, we are pursuing sustainable anti-corruption outcomes by pairing enforcement with robust prevention and asset recovery, especially under Ghana’s unique plea bargaining regime,” he noted.

Mr. Agyebeng revealed that his office has strengthened its preventive mandate by working closely with state institutions, the private sector, and civil society. He also confirmed that convictions, recoveries, and plea bargains have been secured in line with this approach.

Calling for reforms, the Special Prosecutor underscored the need to modernise Ghana’s anti-corruption framework. He proposed constitutional amendments to institutionalise lifestyle audits, non-conviction-based asset recovery, stricter asset declarations, and a reverse onus presumption of corruption.

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The OSP is also pushing for the passage of two key pieces of legislation — a Comprehensive Corrupt Practices Act and a Conduct of Public Officers Act — to provide stronger legal backing for the fight against corruption.

“The task ahead remains formidable, but so is our resolve to deliver,” Mr. Agyebeng assured, adding that the OSP is committed to building lasting anti-corruption structures under the new National Ethics and Anti-Corruption Strategy.