The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has openly declared the creation of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) as an “act in futility.”
During the deliberation of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values in 2021, Bagbin emphasized that the OSP is unlikely to yield any significant results in the ongoing fight against corruption.
Speaker Bagbin, expressing his scepticism, insisted that the Attorney General’s department should be detached from the Ministry of Justice for a more effective anti-corruption strategy.
He asserted that the powers required to combat corruption are constitutionally embedded in the Attorney-General, making a separation from the Minister of Justice essential. Bagbin urged for the well-funding of the Attorney General’s department to enhance its capacity to operate independently.
This stance by Speaker Bagbin echoes the sentiments previously expressed by the Minority in Parliament, who have been critical of the OSP since its establishment.
The Minority Chief Whip, Governs Agbodza, highlighted concerns over the OSP’s lack of success in prosecuting corruption cases. Agbodza pointed out that the presence of other investigative bodies such as EOCO, CID, and the financial crime unit rendered the OSP redundant.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor was established in 2018 as Ghana’s principal independent anti-corruption institution in alignment with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.
The OSP was tasked with investigating and prosecuting corruption cases across public and private sectors, recovering proceeds, and preventing corruption.
However, the OSP has faced significant challenges in its mission, having been unable to successfully prosecute a single case since its inception. The inaugural head of the OSP, Martin Amidu, resigned, citing a lack of resources and accusing the government of not being committed to the anti-corruption cause. Amidu specifically pointed fingers at President Nana Akufo-Addo, labeling him as the primary enabler of corruption.
Many wonder what will happen to Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts in the future and whether reorganising the Attorney General’s office will be necessary to make progress in the ongoing fight against corruption, as the effectiveness of the OSP is still being debated.