Report Alleges Drug Money Helped Fund Ghana's Housing Boom
Written on
A Global Organised Crime Index report alleges that drug money has financed political parties and helped fund Ghana's housing boom, and flags corruption in land, tax and customs administration.
A new Global Organised Crime Index report has highlighted allegations that individuals involved in Ghana's drug trade have financed political parties, while money linked to the illicit market has helped fund the country's housing boom.
The report places the allegations within broader concerns about links between organised crime, political influence and legitimate business activities. "There are allegations that politicians have amassed wealth through links to illicit economies, particularly drugs and the gold sector, and that political parties have benefited from financing from those involved in the drugs market - as well as allegations that elite drug money has funded the country's housing boom," the report said.
The report describes criminal networks as exerting influence on Ghana's democratic processes through money rather than primarily through violence. "Bound by ethnic, religious or familial ties, these networks have a profound impact on Ghanaian society, undermining public institutions and exerting influence on democratic elections - primarily through financial pressure rather than violence," it states.
It adds that the intertwining of criminal and legitimate networks has become widespread, making it challenging to distinguish between them. The report further identifies corruption across public procurement, some elements of the judiciary, the Ghana Police Service, and land, tax and customs administrations. "It is estimated that the country loses around US$4 billion annually to corruption, roughly 20% of the national budget," the report states.
The findings also implicate members of security and intelligence institutions - including immigration, customs, excise, preventive services and the police - in facilitating drug and arms trafficking, illicit mining and other organised criminal activities.
The findings were funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of State, which noted that the opinions, findings and conclusions stated are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of State.