Transparency International Defends OSP Amid Calls for Scrapping

Executive Director of Transparency International Ghana, Mary Addah, has strongly opposed proposals to abolish the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), describing the calls as premature and lacking justification.

Ms. Addah’s response follows the submission of a Private Members’ Bill by two Members of Parliament – Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor – seeking to repeal the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).

The Bill, dated December 8, aims to revert prosecutorial authority over corruption-related offenses back to the Attorney-General, as stipulated in Article 88 of the Constitution. The MPs argue that the OSP’s eight years have highlighted significant structural and constitutional issues, including overlapping responsibilities and friction with the Attorney-General’s Department, leading to duplicated efforts and delays in prosecutions.

Addressing journalists in Accra on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, Ms. Addah firmly rejected the rationale behind dismantling the OSP, asserting that the office is finally demonstrating the potential for substantial progress. “We are in the best stages of the office. The calls for it to be scrapped are very much unnecessary. It is sad that we have to be talking about this now,” she stressed.

She questioned the urgency of the repeal, pointing out: “The Attorney-General’s office has been there for more than 100 years. How many cases have they prosecuted? Perhaps we want quick action and results — and we cannot fault Ghanaians for that — but I think we should hasten slowly.”

Ms. Addah’s comments underscore the ongoing debate regarding the effectiveness and future of the OSP in Ghana’s fight against corruption. Further discussions are expected as the Private Members’ Bill progresses through Parliament.

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