The Special Prosecutor, Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, has urged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the Ghanaian public to intensify efforts to safeguard the future of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), warning that the institution continues to face political resistance despite growing public confidence.
Addressing the National Dialogue on the OSP organised by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana, Mr. Agyebeng called for a stronger and more structured partnership between civil society and the anti-corruption body, stressing that the fight against corruption must not depend on political goodwill or executive discretion.
He described 2025 as a paradoxical year for the OSP, noting that while the office recorded significant progress in its operations, it also faced its most difficult challenges since its establishment.
He said the institution had come under intense criticism but maintained that public trust in the OSP remained relatively strong, with perception trends indicating that more than half of Ghanaians trust the office more than other anti-corruption institutions.
Mr. Agyebeng, however, cautioned that the future of the OSP remains uncertain. He revealed that there had been attempts in Parliament to abolish the office entirely by the end of 2025, a move he said was only halted through intervention and restraint from President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, the effectiveness of the OSP in tackling corruption has made it unpopular in certain political circles, thereby exposing it to continued institutional threats. He warned that such efforts should not be considered completely over.
“I am not known to be diplomatic; I speak as things occur to me,” he said, underscoring the need for vigilance in protecting the office.
The Special Prosecutor further cautioned against reforms that focus on individuals rather than institutional principles, arguing that the sustainability of the OSP should not depend on the occupant of the office.
He called for stronger legal and constitutional safeguards to guarantee the independence and continuity of the institution irrespective of political changes.
Mr. Agyebeng also pointed to the ongoing constitutional review process as a critical opportunity to entrench the OSP within Ghana’s governance framework. He urged stakeholders to ensure that proposals aimed at strengthening the office are firmly incorporated into law to secure its long-term survival.
He concluded with a call on civil society to take a leading role in preserving the institution beyond his tenure, expressing the hope that the OSP would be sustained as an independent anti-corruption body “forged and protected by citizens, not politicians.”
By Margaret Esaah Boakye
