Human Rights Reporters Ghana Backs EU-Funded Asset Recovery Project, Says Dr. Wemakor

Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana, has pledged the support of his organisation to a new EU-funded initiative aimed at recovering stolen public funds and promoting accountability across West Africa.

Dr. Wemakor made the call at the official launch of the “Empowering Civil Society for Transparent and Inclusive Asset Recovery in West Africa” project, held at Airport West Hotel in Accra on Tuesday March 10, 2026.

The programme is organized by Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) in partnership with Centre for International Financial Accountability and Reform (CIFAR), and funded by the European Union under the SecFin Africa Programme.

It will run for 18 months across Ghana, Gambia, and Benin launch, Mr. Leo Anthony Siamah, Head of Legal and Prosecution at the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), said that public education was as critical as prosecutions in tackling corruption.

He noted that many individuals unknowingly engage in corrupt practices due to a lack of understanding of laws and procedures.

“Investigations, prosecutions, and convictions alone are not enough. Education and awareness creation are fundamental to championing asset recovery and fighting corruption,” he said.

Mr Charles Owusu Sekyere, representing the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), reaffirmed the Office’s commitment to prosecuting corruption-related offences and ensuring that public officials who acquire wealth illicitly do not enjoy the proceeds of their crimes.

Mr. Isaac Anyane-Asare, Logistics and Procurement Officer for Illicit Financial Flows and Asset Recovery at ASEPA, speaking during a media interview on the sidelines of the launch said the initiative would strengthen civil society capacity, promote policy reforms, and encourage citizen participation in monitoring asset recovery processes across West Africa.

Dr. Wemakor concluded that sustained collaboration between media, civil society, and state institutions is essential to tackle the complex challenge of illicit financial flows in West Africa.

“The success of this project will not only depend on government enforcement, but also on an informed and engaged citizenry that can demand accountability and transparency from those entrusted with public resources,” he said.

The launch marks a significant step in a regional effort to build partnerships between investigative agencies, civil society, and media organisations to combat illicit financial flows, recover stolen public assets, and strengthen transparency and accountability across West Africa.