The role of an anti-corruption agency in the struggle against corruption: the case of the Serious Office in Ghana

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Periodical article

Title:	The role of an anti-corruption agency in the struggle against corruption: the case of the Serious Office in Ghana
Author:	Asibuo, Sam K.
Year:	2001
Periodical:	African Administrative Studies
Issue:	56
Pages:	1-14
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Ghana
Subjects:	institutions corruption crime prevention
Abstract:	Corruption has become an endemic problem in Ghana and successive Ghanaian governments have made various attempts to combat it. The increasing complexity and sophistication of frauds and economic crimes have been recognized as posing a threat to the security of the Ghanaian economy. Furthermore, complex frauds cannot be adequately detected, investigated and prosecuted by the traditional mechanisms of the existing law. The inability of the existing accountability institutions to check especially financial impropriety, which results in serious economic losses to the State, necessitated the institution of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), established under Act 466 of 1993. This article examines the effectiveness of the SFO as an institution for fighting corruption in Ghana, and gives examples of three large fraud cases. The functions, powers, limitations and difficulties of the SFO are also discussed. The paper concludes with some suggestions for improving the work of the SFO. Ref., sum.