Director of Public Engagement and Partnerships at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Kojo Pumpuni Asante, has raised concerns over what he describes as persistent and disproportionate attacks on the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), warning that it reflects deeper inconsistencies in Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts.

Speaking at a National Dialogue on the OSP on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Dr Asante noted that the anti-corruption body has faced continuous resistance since its establishment, including legal and political challenges to its existence unlike other state investigative institutions.

He pointed out that agencies such as the Financial Intelligence Centre, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, which perform similar functions, have not experienced the same level of scrutiny and opposition.

“Interestingly and curiously, we have not seen the same sustained attack on the Financial Intelligence Centre, EOCO, or the Police CID, even though their work is not dissimilar to the OSP. So, what exactly is the problem? It says one thing: our rhetoric as a country and our practice are far apart,” he said.

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Dr Asante further criticised the political inconsistency, noting that while political parties often advocate for independent anti-corruption mechanisms during elections, they tend to undermine such institutions when in power.

According to him, this trend highlights a disconnect between Ghana’s public commitment to fighting corruption and the actual support given to independent accountability institutions.

He cautioned against any attempt to revert to the pre-2018 anti-corruption framework, when the OSP did not exist, warning that such a move would weaken Ghana’s governance architecture.

Dr Asante emphasised that global best practices favour independent anti-corruption bodies, adding that Ghana’s establishment of the OSP aligns with this direction.

“The debate as to whether corruption prosecution, especially involving politically exposed persons, should be handled independently of the Attorney General has been settled after 22 years. For me, it is settled. We are very clear that we need an independent office,” he added.

MRA/VPO

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