New Initiative Aims to Recover Stolen Public Funds and Boost Accountability in West Africa Launched

Accra, March 10,  – The Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), in partnership with the Centre for International Financial Accountability and Reform (CIFAR), has launched a new regional initiative aimed at recovering stolen public funds and promoting accountability across West Africa.

The project, titled “Empowering Civil Society for Transparent and Inclusive Asset Recovery in West Africa,” is funded by the European Union under the SecFin Africa Programme.

It is scheduled to run for one and a half years in Ghana, Gambia, and Benin.

The launch event, held at Airport West Hotel in Accra on Tuesday, brought together representatives from anti-corruption institutions, civil society organisations, investigative agencies, and governance advocates.

Mr Leo Anthony Siamah, Head of Legal and Prosecution at the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), stressed that public education and awareness creation are essential tools in fighting corruption.

“Investigations, prosecutions, and convictions alone are not enough. Education and awareness creation are fundamental to championing asset recovery and combating corruption,” he said.

Mr Siamah highlighted that many people unknowingly engage in corrupt practices due to lack of awareness of laws and procedures.

“If we do not educate the public, some people will not even realize that what they are doing is wrong,” he added, assuring EOCO’s support for initiatives aimed at strengthening public understanding and accountability.

Mr. Charles Owusu Sekyere, a representative of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), pledged the Office’s support for the initiative and emphasized that public officials who acquire wealth through corrupt means must face prosecution.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that corruption does not become lucrative,” he said. “Individuals who use dubious means to amass wealth at the expense of the state must not enjoy the proceeds of crime.”

Speaking in an interview on the sidelines, Mr. Isaac Anyane-Asare, Logistics and Procurement Officer for Illicit Financial Flows and Asset Recovery at ASEPA, described illicit financial flows as a persistent challenge undermining development in West Africa.

He warned that financial resources leaving the continent through illicit channels sometimes exceed support received from international financial institutions.

Mr Anyane-Asare said the project aims to strengthen collaboration among civil society organisations, government institutions, and citizens while promoting reforms and raising awareness about the impact of illicit financial flows.

Delivering a solidarity message, Mr. Dramani Selorm Nudokpo Dzramado of Arise Ghana urged stronger accountability mechanisms to address corruption.

“When money meant for public projects ends up in private pockets, citizens are deprived of development and essential services,” he said, calling for decisive action by investigative agencies.

Also speaking at the event, Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana, highlighted the critical role of the media and civil society in exposing corruption and promoting transparency.

“Illicit financial flows remain one of the greatest threats to economic justice and sustainable development in Africa,” Dr Wemakor said.

He added that civil society organisations, media, and citizens must collaborate with state institutions to ensure stolen public assets are recovered and redirected to support national development.

Dr. Wemakor pledged the support of Human Rights Reporters Ghana in raising public awareness, promoting investigative reporting, and collaborating with stakeholders working to combat corruption and illicit financial flows across West Africa.

Source:HRRG