‘Leadership must set the tone for fraud-free environment’ — EOCO

The Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Commissioner of Police (COP) Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, has emphasized the critical role of leadership in fostering a culture of integrity and transparency to combat fraud in the public sector.

Speaking at the Second Annual Conference of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Ghana Chapter, COP Addo-Danquah stressed that a proactive approach, championed by leadership, is essential to creating a fraud-resistant environment.

“We cannot simply rely on forensic tools. We need a cultural change that embraces transparency, accountability, and ethical behavior from the top down. Leadership must set the tone for a fraud-free environment.

“In today’s complex financial landscape, fraud in the public sector is more prevalent than ever,” she noted. “However, with effective strategies, forensic tools, and determined leadership, we can stay one step ahead.”

She emphasized that addressing financial crimes requires more than just technical tools with the public sector’s vulnerability to corruption, embezzlement, procurement fraud, and tax evasion.

“Forensic accounting tools are crucial,” she explained. “But these tools are not just about finding fraud; they are about ensuring that financial systems are transparent, accountable and resilient against abuse.”

The EOCO Executive Director further acknowledged the existing challenges within the public sector, such as systemic barriers, insufficient training, and limited resources that hamper the effective use of forensic tools.

To address these challenges, she urged for “consistent investment, training, and collaboration across public and private sectors” to foster a robust, fraud-resistant environment.