Member of Parliament for South Dayi and Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has stated that the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) should not be abolished, but rather strengthened to improve its effectiveness in the fight against corruption.
Speaking in an interview, Mr. Dafeamekpor clarified that his comments were not a reversal of his earlier position, but a call for reforms aimed at making the institution more proactive and efficient.
“I think it should stay,” he said.
According to him, the OSP needs to expand its operations beyond Accra by establishing regional and district offices to improve oversight and respond quickly to suspected financial irregularities.
“If they can up their game, open regional and district offices, and conduct more regular checks at those levels, it shouldn’t take the Auditor-General moving from Accra before we hear about leakages a year after they occurred,” he stated.
He argued that delays in uncovering corruption undermine the purpose of anti-graft institutions and stressed the importance of prevention rather than reacting after funds have already been lost.
“Prevention is key to the anti-corruption fight. You are not preventing,” he said.
Touching on the legal dispute involving the OSP and the Attorney-General, Mr. Dafeamekpor acknowledged that the Special Prosecutor has the right to appeal and seek a stay of execution.
“It’s their right to appeal,” he noted, but explained that simply filing an appeal does not automatically suspend a court ruling.
“A mere filing of a process does not stay the execution of a court order,” he explained.
He advised the OSP to move quickly by seeking an expedited hearing on its motion for a stay of execution.
“What they should do is apply for an abridgement of time to have that motion for stay quickly heard,” he said.
The Majority Chief Whip added that until the court grants a stay, the Attorney-General remains within the law to continue with actions connected to the case.
“But until it is stayed, I believe the Attorney-General will proceed,” he stated.
He also downplayed suggestions of a serious conflict between the two institutions, saying the situation has been exaggerated.
“I don’t see where the fight is. We are really creating a fight that does not exist,” he said.