WELCOME TO THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT (ICPD)

The International Centre for Public Development (ICPD) is a not-for-profit organization focused on strengthening public institutions, policy reforms, and systemic responses to financial crimes. We work with governments, civil society, and international organizations to build transparency, accountability, and resilience.

OUR KEY SERVICES

1. Financial Research
2. Crime Statistics
3. Advising Governments and Agencies of Governments on illicit financial dealings
4. Tracing illicit financial inflows
5. Assisting Law Enforcement to follow proceeds of crime including immovable properties
6. Capacity building and awareness creation
7. Investigations
8. Legal Advocacy

FINANCIAL CRIME STATISTICS IN GHANA AS OF 2024

Banking Sector Fraud

• Total fraud cases: 716, representing a 26% decline from 2023.

• Value at risk: GH¢75 million (approximately $5.6 million USD) for banks alone, with an overall value at risk of GH¢99 million (approximately $7.4 million USD) across banks, Specialized Deposit-Taking Institutions (SDIs), and Payment Service Providers (PSPs).

• Attempted fraud cases: 18% decline in banks and SDIs, but with an 11% increase in total value at risk associated with these cases, rising to GH¢80 million in 2024 from GH¢72 million in 2023.

Types of Fraud

• Forgery and Document Manipulation: This type of fraud saw a significant surge, with the value at risk ballooning to GH¢53.5 million, nearly eight times the GH¢6.9 million recorded in 2023, accounting for 67% of the total fraud value risk recorded by banks and SDIs.
• Identity Theft: Cases rose from GH¢0.6 million in 2023 to GH¢5.7 million in 2024, attributed to weak due diligence practices and poor verification processes using Ghana Cards.
• ATM/POS/Card Fraud: Cases increased by 80%, from 218 in 2023 to 415 in 2024, likely due to the growing adoption of digital financial products.

Payment Service Providers (PSPs)

• Number of fraud cases: 15,673, representing a 7% increase from 2023.
• Value at risk: GH¢19 million, an 18% increase from 2023.

Staff Involvement in Fraud

• Number of staff implicated: 365, representing a 33% increase from 2023.
• Number of staff dismissed: 155, with 83 dismissals linked to cash theft and suppression.

Corruption in Public Sector

• Bribery: 18.4% of Ghanaians who interacted with public officials in 2024 paid bribes, primarily in cash, to access essential services.
• Regional Bribery Rates: Greater Accra recorded the highest incidence of bribery at 22%, followed by the Ashanti Region at 18.1%.

1. Government Ministries
2. Metropolitan Assemblies
3. Municipal Assemblies
4. District Assemblies
5. Insurance Companies of state interest
6. Banks of state interest
7. Public Procurement Authority
8. State Owned Enterprises
9. Public Universities / Tertiary Institutions
10. State Owned Hospitals