Nana Agyei Baffuor Awuah, Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, has urged the government to suspend funding for the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), citing its ineffectiveness in tackling corruption. This call comes after nearly eight years of the OSP’s existence, during which it has failed to secure a single conviction.
In a debate on the 2025 budget estimate of 146 million Ghana Cedis for the OSP, Awuah argued that the Attorney General’s office and the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) have successfully prosecuted multiple corruption cases, making the OSP’s lack of progress even more glaring.
The Manhyia South MP, who also serves on the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, emphasized the need for a reassessment of the OSP’s mandate and performance. He pointed out that the agency currently has only three criminal cases pending and that its work has not been focused on the Auditor General’s findings.
Awuah suggested that redirecting the OSP’s budget to the Office of the Attorney General would be a more effective use of resources, stating, “I think that if that money is given to the Attorney General, he will do a better job.”
This call to action echoes concerns raised by other stakeholders, including Asiedu Nketiah, who has also questioned the OSP’s effectiveness in fighting corruption. With corruption remaining a significant challenge in Ghana, the debate over the OSP’s role and effectiveness is likely to continue.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
