Geoffrey Ocansey, Executive Director of Revenue Mobilisation Africa, has expressed outrage over widespread corruption in Ghana, saying he’s “very angry” after learning of the extent of state looting.
Speaking ahead of Media General’s Dialogue on “Lifestyle Audits: Enhancing Public Service Ethics”, Ocansey revealed that he has reevaluated his past views on the June 4 Revolution, now understanding the circumstances that led to it.
“I wouldn’t have wished it happened, but if it happened now, I’ve arrived at it, I better understand it now,” he said.
Ocansey cited widespread poverty and hunger, juxtaposed with lavish spending by a few, as fueling his anger.
According to him, “it’s so hurting that you see people so hungry, others can’t even relieve themselves of the pain they’re going through — and then you see others who are lavishly spending on just a watch or something, so it makes you get angry.”
The social advocate emphasised that the stark contrast between the rich and the poor is unacceptable. He noted that while some people struggle to afford basic necessities like food and healthcare, others flunt their wealth, which could be ill-gotten, making the masses angry.
“It’s so hurting that you see people so hungry, others can’t even relieve themelves of the pain they’re going through. They’re not well, they need just a pittance, about 20 cedis, 500 cedis, a thousand cedis to visit the hospital but they’re not able to do so and then you see others who are lavishly spending on just a watch or something, so it makes you get angry,” he explained
Ocansey called for a broader discussion on corruption, urging Ghanaians to come together to tackle the issue. “We should do a lot of discussion and just nib this corruption thing in the bud,” he said.
The calls for lifestyle audits have become rife in Ghana, following corruption and corruption-related cases that have characterised public office in the country over the years. This has created the need to have a law that will guide the enforcement in that regard.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, in June 2025, announced that Parliament was set to begin drafting a legislation to support lifestyle audits for individuals suspected of amassing unexplained wealth in the country.
The law will help Ghana’s fight against corruption, where persons who acquire wealth suspected to be outside their income stream would be put before the law to proof the authenticity of their wealth.
The Speaker, addressing the House on Monday, June 9, 2025, he noted that the proposed bill would empower state institutions to investigate the lifestyles of public officials, politically exposed persons, and private individuals whose standard of living does not correlate with their known sources of income.
“I am, to this end, receiving a lot of input to process legislation on lifestyle audits,” Mr. Bagbin stated. “I’m happy to hear OSP also included it in their statement. We will legislate and stop this impunity of people flaunting ill-gotten wealth in the face of poor Ghanaians.”
He shared how the proposal has gained traction among senior members of government and civil society, including Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, who also recently expressed support for such reforms.
Speaker Bagbin’s announcement aligns with growing calls by anti-corruption institutions and advocates who are calling for aggressive legal tools to fight graft in the country.
Meanwhile, the Special Prosecutor, William Kissi Agyebeng, has also shared how his outfit is working to ensure there are constitutional reforms to allow lifestyle audits and asset seizures, even without a criminal conviction.
Addressing participants at the West Africa Regional Anti-Corruption Policy Dialogue in Accra, Mr. Agyebeng described as outdated, the current legal framework, saying they are ineffective for curbing modern corruption schemes.
He proposed a “reverse onus” clause that would require individuals to explain the source of their wealth or risk forfeiture of unexplained assets.
“In matters of anti-corruption, prevention is always better than cure,” he said. “Investigations and prosecutions are slow, expensive, and often unproductive due to entrenched secrecy and wealth layering.”
The Special Prosecutor stated that lifestyle audits remain one of the most cost-effective ways to expose and deter illicit enrichment, adding that asset recovery should not be contingent upon lengthy criminal proceedings.
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