In 2025, the anti-corruption campaign in Ghana under Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) intensified, with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), the Attorney-General’s Department, and other investigative bodies pursuing some of the most high-profile corruption cases in recent history.
These prosecutions have not only dominated headlines but also sparked national discussion on governance, accountability, and the rule of law.
These cases are emblematic of a broader surge in corruption prosecutions in Ghana throughout 2025.
President John Dramani Mahama’s administration has disclosed that more than 200 corruption cases are under investigation or prosecution as part of its anti‑graft agenda, reflecting a significant escalation in efforts to retrieve misappropriated public funds.
However, the campaign has also faced criticism and challenges, including concerns over limited prosecutorial resources and institutional constraints. External assessments have warned that underfunded anti‑corruption bodies and political interference could undermine the long‑term effectiveness of these efforts.
Here’s a look at eight cases that shook the nation this year:
1. The SML procurement corruption trial
One of the most high-profile cases of 2025 centres on former Finance Minister Ken Ofori‑Atta and seven others, charged with corruption and related offences connected to Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) revenue assurance contracts.
The High Court charge sheet lists 78 counts, alleging a coordinated scheme that led to over GH¢1.4 billion in questionable state spending.
The trial has attracted widespread attention due to the political stature of the accused and the magnitude of the alleged financial loss, underscoring the government’s commitment to pursuing high-level corruption cases.
2. National Service Scheme ‘ghost names’ scandal
In one of Ghana’s largest public payroll fraud cases, twelve individuals, including senior officials of the National Service Scheme (NSS), were charged in connection with a ghost names payroll scheme. Investigators claim that fictitious workers were issued salaries, resulting in losses exceeding GH¢653 million.
The scandal sparked national outrage, exposing serious flaws in systems designed to support young graduates and highlighting the extensive reach of corruption beyond standard procurement abuses.
3. NAFCO Buffer Stock scandal
The National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) scandal drew significant attention when former CEO Hanan Abdul‑Wahab and his wife Faiza Seidu Wuni, faced prosecution on multiple charges, including stealing, conspiracy, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering, related to an alleged diversion of GH¢78.2 million in public funds.
Authorities dubbed the case the “Rumble in the Jungle” scandal. It is alleged that funds intended for critical programs, such as school feeding, were siphoned through shell companies, leaving vital social services underfunded.
4. NPA extortion and money laundering scheme
The Office of the Special Prosecutor uncovered a large-scale corruption scheme at the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), tracing over GH¢280 million in illicit proceeds.
Investigations revealed that high-ranking officials allegedly leveraged their regulatory positions to extract substantial payments from oil marketing companies and other entities under their oversight. Criminal charges were subsequently filed, exposing deep-rooted corruption risks within key regulatory institutions.
5. Chairman Wontumi / Exim Bank loan fraud case
In late 2025, the Attorney-General’s Department charged Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, and associates with fraud, forgery, and causing financial loss to the state, related to a GH¢24 million loan application for Wontumi Farms Limited submitted to Ghana Exim Bank.
The case has ignited debates about corruption in both Ghana’s business and political spheres, highlighting how financial misconduct extends beyond public institutions to private entities with political connections.
6. Sky Train scandal
On Monday, February 24, 2025, former Minister for Railways Development Joe Ghartey was invited by the National Investigation Bureau (NIB) over his role in the controversial Sky Train Project.
During his tenure (2017–2021), $2 million was paid toward the project, which never materialised. Investigators are probing the basis and approvals for this payment.
7. Ken Ofori-Atta – National Cathedral
On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng declared former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta wanted for corruption and related offences in connection with five controversial deals.
He is accused of causing financial loss to the state through his involvement in the National Cathedral project, a spare parts deal for ambulances, and the termination of an ECG-Beijing Technology agreement aimed at reducing distribution losses and improving the electricity network.
8. Kwabena Adu-Boahene and his wife face prosecution for embezzlement, money laundering
Former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu-Boahene, his wife Angela Adjei-Boateng, and associates are facing prosecution for embezzlement, money laundering, and misappropriation linked to a GH¢49 million cybersecurity procurement scandal.
Adu-Boahene was arrested on March 20, 2025, at Kotoka International Airport upon his return to Ghana. Charges were formally filed in April 2025, and the case has since advanced through preliminary proceedings, with witness statements submitted. The case highlights persistent concerns about accountability within security institutions.
