Accra, April 1, — Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, Special Prosecutor, has called on Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and anti-corruption advocates to actively protect the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), warning that efforts to dismantle the institution have not ceased and could resurface at any time.
He made the appeal at a National Dialogue on the OSP, organised by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) in Accra. The dialogue is part of a broader initiative aimed at strengthening accountability institutions and enhancing citizen engagement in anti-corruption reforms in Ghana.
The initiative seeks to deepen stakeholder understanding of the OSP framework, identify gaps in the legal regime, and build consensus around necessary reforms. Participants included CSOs, policymakers, development partners, professional bodies, media practitioners, traditional authorities, and youth and women group representatives.
Mr. Agyebeng highlighted that over 50 per cent of CSOs continue to express trust and support for the OSP despite its challenges. He reflected on 2025 as both the Office’s best performing year and its most challenging in terms of institutional survival.
"Had it not been the good-naturedness of the President, the Office would have been scrapped by the end of December 2025 in Parliament," he said.
He further explained, "Politicians do not want us around because we are bad news for them."
Dr. Kojo Asante, Director of Policy Engagement and Partnerships at CDD, noted that findings since the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in 2004 show the Attorney-General, as a Cabinet member, faces limitations in prosecuting colleagues within government. He emphasized that the OSP, established in 2018, addressed longstanding concerns about prosecuting politically exposed persons.
Dr. Asante called for strengthening the OSP by tightening appointment and removal processes to ensure the Special Prosecutor’s independence.
Mrs. Linda Ofori-Kwafo, Team Lead for Governance and Stability at Adam Smith International, urged the government to constitute the OSP Board to improve its efficiency and effectiveness.
GHBUSS
1 April 2026
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