Newly Sworn-In EOCO Board: Daniel Domelevo Returns to Lead Ghana’s Fight Against Economic and Organised Crime

Newly Sworn-In EOCO Board: Daniel Domelevo Returns to Lead Ghana’s Fight Against Economic and Organised Crime


Ghana has restructured one of its most important anti-corruption watchdogs, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), with the swearing-in of a newly constituted Board. The inauguration of this high-profile team, led by former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo, marks a decisive step in Ghana’s fight against financial crimes, corruption, money laundering, and illicit enrichment.

The EOCO Board is mandated under Act 804 of 2010 to monitor, investigate, and prosecute economic and organised crimes. Over the years, EOCO’s role has been vital in recovering stolen state funds, unearthing fraud networks, and partnering with both national and international enforcement agencies.

With the appointment of Domelevo—widely respected for his fearless audit reports—the new EOCO Board has set the stage for a new era of accountability, asset recovery, and proactive prevention of economic crime in Ghana.

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Why This Board Matters in 2025

Corruption and organised financial crimes continue to undermine governance, drain public resources, and weaken trust in Ghana’s institutions. From procurement fraud to cybercrime, the state loses millions of cedis annually.

The new EOCO Board has been strategically composed to bring together experts from law enforcement, financial auditing, intelligence, and governance. This multidisciplinary approach is expected to enhance EOCO’s investigative capacity and build stronger cooperation between state agencies such as the Police, the Narcotics Control Board, and the Office of the Attorney-General.

For Ghana, the timing is crucial. With rising concerns over public sector corruption, illicit gold trade, and cyber-enabled fraud, EOCO must not only recover stolen funds but also prevent future losses through intelligence-driven operations.

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Daniel Domelevo: A Symbolic Return

At the heart of the new EOCO Board is Daniel Yaw Domelevo, the former Auditor-General. Domelevo became a household name in Ghana when his audits exposed massive irregularities in government spending. His insistence on accountability won him praise from civil society, international partners, and ordinary Ghanaians.

However, his controversial removal from office in 2021 was widely condemned, with the Supreme Court later ruling the decision unconstitutional. Domelevo’s return to public service, this time as Chairman of the EOCO Board, is being viewed as both a victory for institutional integrity and a reassurance to citizens who demand independent leadership in anti-corruption bodies.

Domelevo has already introduced a new strategic vision for EOCO, which he calls “OPRAL” – Operation Prevent and Recover All Loots. This philosophy stresses that while recovering misappropriated funds is vital, preventing corruption before it occurs is equally critical.

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Composition of the New EOCO Board

The new Board brings together individuals with diverse expertise, reflecting the complex and multidisciplinary nature of economic crime investigations.

This structure ensures that EOCO benefits from legal expertise, financial auditing oversight, law enforcement power, and military intelligence—creating a stronger backbone for operations.

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Key Priorities of the EOCO Board

1. Asset Recovery and Financial Accountability

The Attorney-General, Dominic Ayine, tasked the new EOCO Board with ensuring robust recovery of misappropriated state funds. EOCO’s record in retrieving assets is expected to improve under Domelevo’s OPRAL framework.

2. Prevention of Organised Crime

EOCO is shifting beyond just chasing funds after the fact. Intelligence-led operations, cyber monitoring, and early detection mechanisms will be central to stopping fraud before it occurs.

3. Capacity Building and Technology

The Board has been urged to invest in modern investigative tools, forensic technology, and specialized training for officers. This is crucial given the rise of cybercrime, cryptocurrency fraud, and cross-border financial scams.

4. Strengthening Public Confidence

For many Ghanaians, corruption probes have often been seen as selective or politically motivated. Domelevo’s reputation offers the opportunity to rebuild trust and ensure EOCO operates independently and transparently.

5. International Partnerships

Economic and organised crime does not respect borders. EOCO will need to deepen partnerships with Interpol, ECOWAS institutions, and global anti-money laundering networks.

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GEO Focus: Why This Matters for Ghana and Beyond

For Ghana, strengthening EOCO means:
• Protecting public funds to boost development projects.
• Reducing illicit financial flows from natural resources like gold and oil.
• Enhancing investor confidence by guaranteeing a more transparent business environment.

For the global audience, Ghana’s renewed EOCO is a partner in combating transnational crimes such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and cyber fraud. International watchdogs including the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Transparency International will be watching closely to assess Ghana’s progress.

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Domelevo’s Statement: Moving Beyond Recovery

Speaking at the inauguration, Domelevo highlighted that:

“The recovery is key, but we must move beyond the recovery and put in prevention.”

This statement captures the shift EOCO wants to make—from being reactive to becoming proactive. Prevention strategies, if implemented effectively, will reduce the financial haemorrhage the state suffers annually.

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Challenges Ahead

While the optimism around the new EOCO Board is high, the challenges remain significant:
• Political Pressure: Ghana’s anti-corruption institutions often face interference. Maintaining independence will be a true test.
• Funding Gaps: Adequate resources and budget allocations are critical if EOCO is to invest in technology and training.
• Public Trust: Citizens expect EOCO to act fairly, without bias toward political affiliations.
• Sophisticated Financial Crimes: As criminals adopt advanced cyber techniques, EOCO must innovate to stay ahead.

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Conclusion

The swearing-in of the new EOCO Board, chaired by Daniel Yaw Domelevo, marks a renewed chapter in Ghana’s battle against corruption and financial crimes. With a strong, multidisciplinary team, a new operational strategy (OPRAL), and clear directives from the Attorney-General, EOCO is poised to strengthen accountability, recover lost assets, and prevent future financial crimes.

For Ghanaians, the new EOCO Board is not just another committee—it is a symbol of hope for transparency, fairness, and justice in public financial management. Its success will depend on political independence, adequate resources, and continuous public oversight.

As Ghana looks ahead, the new EOCO leadership stands as a bold reminder that the fight against corruption is winnable when courageous leaders and committed institutions align for the common good.

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Sources
• MyJoyOnline – Mahama appoints Domelevo as EOCO Board Chairman
• AdomOnline – Newly sworn-in EOCO Board tasked to ensure proper recovery of state funds
• MetroTV Online – Daniel Yaw Domelevo named new Board Chair of EOCO
• GhanaWeb – Daniel Domelevo appointed as EOCO Board Chair
• Atinka Online – President Mahama names Domelevo EOCO Board Chairman