Galamsey Economy: OSP describing Adu Boahen’s act as influence peddling a bizarre conclusion — Oliver Barker

The Office of the Special Prosecutor's (OSP) description of former Finance Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance Charles Adu Boahen's actions in an Anas’ expose as "influence peddling" rather than corruption has been met with criticism from anti-corruption activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor.

In its investigation report released on Monday, the OSP found that Adu Boahen's actions of requesting bribes from supposed foreign investors during a trip to Dubai in 2018 amounted to "trading in influence" and not corruption as alleged in the 'Galamsey Economy' documentary compiled by Ace investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

However, Mr. Barker has disagreed with OSP's report, describing it as "the most bizarre conclusion I have ever read in a public report."

"How on earth is influence peddling a conclusion you arrive at? Is that grammar or law?" Mr. Barker further questioned in the tweet.

The OSP had conducted an 11-month probe into Adu Boahen after he was secretly filmed by ace investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas' Tiger Eye PI in which he agreed to receive 20% of a $500 million investment in Ghana's financial sector.

He was also seen accepting $40,000 in cash from the supposed investors.

While affirming Adu Boahen's actions, the OSP said there are no existing laws in Ghana that criminalise "influence peddling" and so it is unable to prosecute him.

Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng wrote that this "engenders impunity of malevolent conduct."