After 6 months of painstaking investigations, the Special Prosecutor in a detailed report under his hand has dropped investigations on the former Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Mr. Charles Adu Boahen.

Mr. Adu Boahen was captured in a sting operation by Tiger Eye PI receiving money from persons who posed as investors willing to set up an Islamic Bank in Ghana. The Minister was caught on tape suggesting to the investors his ability to set up a meeting with the Vice President upon the payment of an appearance fee of $200,000. A claim the office of the Vice President denied and called on the Special Prosecutor to investigate.

In the report of the Special Prosecutor on the outcome of the investigations on the Former Minister who was sacked by the President and reported to the Special Prosecutor, the Office of the Special Prosecutor concludes that the statements of Mr. Boahen amounts to influence peddling and same is not penalized by Ghanaian criminal laws. In the words of the Special Prosecutor at certain portions of paragraphs 6.15 - 7.1 of the report are as follows:

"Mr. Adu Boahen exhibited lack of sound judgment...his suggestion of the payment of an appearance fee of Two Hundred Thousand United States dollars (US$200,000.00) to the Vice President was quite reckless – especially as the Vice President was unaware of the business he was conducting and had not tasked him to demand money of whatever description on his behalf."

"The conduct of Mr. Adu Boahen amounts to trading in influence or influence peddling. This is the practice of using one’s influence or connections in public office or with persons in public office to obtain favours or preferential treatment for oneself or for another person, usually in return for payment."

"Though the conduct of Mr. Adu Boahen amounts to trading in influence or influence peddling, which is closely associated with corruption, there is no actual criminal prohibition of his acts in respect of which the OSP has a mandate to further act."

The Special Prosecutor again concluded that the amount of $40,000 received from the supposed investors in the Anas investigative secret recording were improper. This amount was deemed as a shopping gift according to the report and upon interrogation of Mr Adu Boahen."

In this light, the Special Prosecutor has called for the passage of comprehensive criminal laws which penalize influence peddling among others.

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