The International Centre for Public Development (ICPD) is a global policy and research institute dedicated to supporting governments in tackling financial crimes. We specialize in combating corruption, illicit financial flows, money laundering, tracing proceeds of crime (movable and immovable) and the abuse of public resources.

Our Mission

To equip public institutions and partners with practical tools, data, and knowledge that will strengthen their capacity to prevent, respond effectively to financial crimes, and protect public finances.

Our Vision

A world where public funds are protected, institutions are resilient, and citizens benefit from accountable and transparent governance.

OUR CORE VALUES

1. INTEGRITY – Committed to ethical leadership and accountability

2. PARTNERSHIP – We believe in collaborative impact

3. INNOVATION – Using modern tools for old challenges

4. EQUITY – Inclusive solutions that leave no one behind

WHAT WE DO

Our core services and areas of focus include:

1. Financial crime risk assessments and policy reviews

2. Legal and anti-money laundering (AML) advisory

3. Government training and capacity development

4. Data tools and early-warning systems

5. Research and public education on financial integrity

6. Global partnerships for knowledge exchange

OUR KEY PARTNERS

We work with govrrnments, anti-corruption agencies, international organizations, and civil society groups committed to advancing public financial integrity. These include: Financial Intelligence Centre, Criminal Investigation Department - Ghana Police Service, National Investigation Bureau, Institute of Fraud Examiners - Ghana, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Knutsford University College, Ghana Revenue Authority, Controller and Accountant General's Department, Central Banks, Public Insurance Companies.

Assad Senyo Gbadegbe is an astute, results-driven, and resourceful legal practitioner with extensive experience in corporate law, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, company secretarial practice, and transactional advisory.

As Head of Legal and Secretary to the Board at the International Centre for Public Development (ICPD), he provides strategic legal guidance and ensures sound governance practices that align with the Centre’s mission of promoting transparency, integrity, and accountability in public institutions.

Since December 2013, Assad has served as a Senior Associate with Beyuo & Co, where he has honed his expertise in complex corporate and commercial transactions, regulatory advisory, and litigation. His work reflects a deep commitment to excellence, ethical leadership, and institutional reform.

Assad holds a B.L. (Honours) from the Ghana School of Law (2011–2013), an LL.B (Honours) from the University of Ghana, Legon (2009–2011), and a B.A. (Honours) in History also from the University of Ghana, Legon (2002–2006).

His diverse academic foundation and practical experience make him a key pillar in ICPD’s efforts to strengthen governance systems and build legal frameworks that support the fight against corruption and financial crimes in the public sector.

Mr. Hope Kwaku Nyadi is a retired Senior Staff Officer who served with distinction at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and voluntarily retired from the Ghana Police Service at the rank of Deputy Superintendent after over three decades of investigative service. His extensive career includes notable appointments such as Corporate Security Manager at the West Africa Head Office of United Bank for Africa (UBA) in Accra and Secretary to the Deputy Director of Operations at EOCO.

During his tenure at EOCO, Mr. Nyadi held several strategic positions, including Head of the Financial Crime Unit, Head of the Analysis Unit, and Deputy Head of the Mutual Legal Assistance Unit. In the Ghana Police Service, he also served as Head of the Commercial Crime Unit at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters and as District Crime Officer in Community One, Tema.

A trained teacher by profession, Mr. Nyadi is also a seasoned Financial Sector Security Manager and Intelligence Officer with a deep commitment to developing strategies aimed at safeguarding the public purse. He is widely recognized as a polymath, with expertise spanning multiple disciplines such as business and industrial management, law enforcement, intelligence gathering and analysis, illicit asset tracing and recovery, corporate strategy, and Appropriate Dispute Resolution (ADR).

Academically, he holds several advanced degrees and professional qualifications, including:

1. Master of Arts in Criminology
2. Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Global Corporate Strategy
3. Master of Laws (LL.M) in Corporate and Commercial Law
4. Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration
5. Professional Executive Master’s in Appropriate Dispute Resolution (ADR)
6. Diploma in Protecting the Public Purse (Cairo, Egypt)

In addition, he has earned numerous career development certificates from both local and international institutions.

Mr. Nyadi currently serves as an adjunct lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School (Legon) and Wisconsin International University College (Accra), where he lectures in Corporate Security Management and Investigation Studies.

He brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and practical experience to the financial crime and corporate security sectors, and is regarded as one of the industry’s foremost experts.

Ellis Asamani is an experienced development practitioner, digital entrepreneur, and educator with a strong background in security, economics, governance, and capacity building. As the Centre Coordinator, he plays a pivotal role in advancing the Centre’s mission to combat corruption and financial crimes in government and public institutions through training, research, and institutional strengthening.

With a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, Ellis combines analytical expertise with a passion for ethical leadership and sustainable development. He has more than 45 years post-graduation combined work experience as naval officer in the Ghana Navy,  teacher, lecturer, business consultant, and deputy director at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition in Pretoria, South Africa. He brings ample experience to help foster transparency, accountability, and good governance across Africa.

Ellis is committed to building a new generation of public servants and civic leaders equipped with the knowledge, integrity, and digital tools necessary to drive systemic change and uphold the highest standards of public service.

Paul Agyei Gyang is a seasoned law enforcement and financial crime expert with over two decades of progressive experience in criminal investigations, organized crime prevention, and corporate security management. He currently serves as the Northern Regional Director of the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) and volunteers as a Research Fellow at the International Centre for Public Development (ICPD), contributing his extensive field experience to research initiatives aimed at combating corruption and financial crimes in public institutions.

Before his current role, Paul served as a Detective Inspector with the Ghana Police Service, Corporate Security Assistant at Nestlé Central and West Africa, and Security Manager at Nestlé Ghana Limited. Within EOCO, he has held several strategic leadership positions, including Head of Financial Crime Unit, Head of Organised Crime Unit, Team Lead for Special Investigations, Regional Director (Greater Accra Reion), and Second-in-Command of the Procurement Fraud Unit. His analytical insight and investigative acumen have made significant contributions to national anti-corruption and organized crime control efforts.

Paul’s academic and professional background reflects a deep commitment to governance, law, and security. He holds an LLB, a Master’s Degree in Conflict, Peace, and Security, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing. His specialized training includes a Certificate in Organized Crime (Organized Crime College, Caserta, Italy), Financial Crime Management (City of London Police), Certificate in Disclosure Procedures (AG's Office, Ghana), Leadership and Management (EOCO-Ghana & Commonwealth Secretariat - UK), Financial Crimes Investigations (The US Dept. of State Bureau of International Narcotics & Law Enforcement Affairs), Cybercrime (UNODC e-Crime Burea), and Anti-Terrorism Financing (UNODC).

 Paul has served as an Adjunct Lecturer in Corporate Crime Investigation and Security Management at Knutsford University College in Accra since 2018, combining academic depth with practical experience. His involvement with ICPD enhances the institution’s research capabilities, particularly in the areas of financial crime prevention, institutional integrity, and public sector accountability