Mahama Ayariga Demands OSP Scrapping
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga urged Parliament on Thursday to abolish the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), arguing that it duplicates the functions of the Attorney General’s Department and wastes public funds.
In a passionate submission on the floor, Ayariga said the OSP has existed for nearly eight years without delivering any major corruption case and that its resources should be redirected to strengthen the Attorney General’s office.
“It is unconstitutional to strip the Attorney General of the power to prosecute criminal cases,” Ayariga stated, recalling his opposition to the OSP’s establishment when the constitutional amendment was debated.
The debate was sparked by the recent detention of lawyer Martin Kwebu, who was arrested at the OSP’s premises after attempting to address the media about his criticism of the Prosecutor’s conduct.
Following public outcry on social media, Kwebu was released late on Friday, a development that, according to Ayariga, highlights “fundamental issues about the very existence of that office.”
Ayariga warned that abolishing the OSP will not shield corrupt officials from accountability. “Abolishing it will not let anyone off the hook,” he asserted, referring to ongoing investigations into alleged financial misconduct.
He also cited former Minister Michael Quay, who on TV3 recommended that Parliament use a private‑member’s bill to dissolve the OSP.
“If we truly want to fight corruption, the Constitution already provides a single, accountable entity – the Attorney General and Minister for Justice,” Ayariga argued, urging lawmakers to allocate the GH₵ 100 million budget earmarked for the OSP to the Attorney General’s Department.
The Majority Leader’s remarks came after a recent incident where security personnel at the OSP’s headquarters allegedly prevented Kwebu from speaking to journalists, leading to his brief detention.
Opposition members responded by stressing that the fight against corruption should not be reduced to institutional rivalry, but rather driven by political will at the highest levels.
Parliament is expected to consider a motion later this week that could either task the Executive with drafting a repeal bill or open the floor to a private‑member’s proposal, as advised by Quay.
Regardless of the procedural route, Ayariga emphasized that “the constitutional experiment of the OSP has proved futile,” and called on the House to act swiftly before further public funds are expended on an ineffective body.
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