The special prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, reiterated proposals for constitutional reforms which would allow the state institutions to carry out lifestyle audits and grasp assets of people whose wealth is deemed disproportionate to their legitimate benefits, even without criminal conviction.
Offering a discourse on the policy of the policy of regional anti-corruption of West Africa in Accra, Mr. Agyebeng argued that the legal regime should evolve to respond to the sophistication of modern corruption regimes and called for a “reverse” clause in the Constitution, where unexplained wealth would be presumed to have been acquired by corrupt means, unless the individual can prove otherwise.
He spoke on the theme: Revitalize anti-corruption architecture in Africa: Ghana’s responsibility journey.
“The law always seems to be a step behind criminal innovation,” he said. “Those who engage in great corruption have the means to set up formidable campaigns of disinformation and distortion of truth.”
According to him, current proceedings are inadequate for the tracing and recovery of illicit wealth, because they often require a conviction before confiscation can take place.
Mr. Agyebeng described the lifestyle audit as the most profitable and proactive tool for combating great corruption, explaining that “in terms of anti-corruption, prevention is always better than healing. The surveys and prosecution are slow, expensive and often unproductive due to secrets and area of rooted wealth. ”
He argued that constitutional reforms would not only strengthen Ghana’s interior responsibility mechanisms, but also would harmonize its framework with international standards.
“Unexplained wealth should not be allowed to hide behind legal details. People demand transparency and responsibility. ”
Read the entire address of the special prosecutor.
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