Ghana’s flagship anti-corruption agency, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), has been notably absent from the Mahama administration’s high-profile “Operation Recover All Loot” (ORAL) initiative, raising questions about institutional alignment.
Established by Act 959 in 2018 as an independent body with prosecutorial autonomy, the OSP has publicly pursued only one major case against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta since President Mahama took office in January 2025.
This contrasts with frequent operations led by the Attorney General’s office, National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), and Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) targeting former officials.
Public records show no formal referrals of ORAL cases to the OSP, despite legal provisions allowing inter-agency collaboration.
The OSP’s specialized mandate includes investigating corruption, recovering assets, and initiating prosecutions without ministerial approval powers designed to transcend political cycles.
The NDC’s 2024 manifesto criticized the prior administration for undermining institutions like the OSP but has not clarified the office’s role in current anti-graft efforts.
Analysts note the tension between ORAL’s politically visible actions and the OSP’s statutory independence. Civil society groups urge establishing a transparent referral framework between the AG, EOCO, NIB, and OSP to ensure investigations meet prosecutorial standards without compromising institutional mandates.
The situation unfolds amid broader institutional controversies, including the Chief Justice’s suspension and proceedings against Electoral Commission members.
How the Mahama administration integrates Ghana’s anti-corruption architecture remains a test of its governance commitments under the ORAL campaign.
