<p><strong>Accra, March 10, GNA</strong> – Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana, has called for stronger collaboration between civil society, media, and state institutions to combat corruption and recover stolen public funds across West Africa.</p>
<p>Dr. Wemakor was speaking at the official launch of the EU-funded project, “Empowering Civil Society for Transparent and Inclusive Asset Recovery in West Africa,” held at Airport West Hotel in Accra on Tuesday.</p>
<p>The project, organized by Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) in partnership with Centre for International Financial Accountability and Reform (CIFAR), will run for 18 months in Ghana, Gambia, and Benin public awareness, promoting investigative reporting, and collaborating with all stakeholders involved in asset recovery and anti-corruption efforts.</p>
<p>Speaking at the same event, Mr. Leo Anthony Siamah, Head of Legal and Prosecution at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), stressed that public education and awareness creation were key tools in the fight against corruption, noting that many citizens unknowingly engage in corrupt practices due to lack of knowledge of the laws.</p>
<p>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 those who acquire wealth illicitly do not enjoy the proceeds.</p>
<p>On the sidelines, Mr Isaac Anyane-Asare, Logistics and Procurement Officer for Illicit Financial Flows and Asset Recovery at ASEPA, said the project aims to strengthen civil society capacity, promote policy reform, and engage citizens in monitoring asset recovery processes across the region.</p>
<p>Civil society activist, Mr. Dramani Selorm Nudokpo Dzramado of Arise Ghana, added that decisive action is needed to ensure that diversion of public funds does not go unpunished, stressing that corruption undermines development and public services.</p>
<p>The launch signals a concerted regional effort to build partnerships between investigative agencies, civil society, and the media to tackle illicit financial flows, recover stolen assets, and promote accountability in West Africa.</p>