Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah, has raised concerns over what he describes as attempts to weaken the powers of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), warning that such moves could undermine Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts.
Speaking on Thursday, April 16, he said recent developments surrounding the OSP’s mandate are creating uncertainty for ongoing corruption-related cases and could erode public confidence in accountability institutions.
He cautioned that the issue should not be taken lightly, stressing its wider implications for governance and the justice system.
“Any attempt, direct or indirect, to weaken the effectiveness of the OSP is worrying for the fight against corruption in this country,” he said.
His comments come in the wake of a High Court ruling in Accra on Wednesday, presided over by Justice John Eugene Nyadu Nyante, which held that while the OSP can investigate corruption-related offences, it does not have constitutional authority to independently prosecute cases under Article 88 of the 1992 Constitution.
The ruling, which stemmed from a quo warranto application filed by Peter Achibold Hyde, has raised questions about several ongoing prosecutions by the OSP. Legal observers say it could potentially delay or stall cases pending further judicial clarification.
In response, the OSP has maintained that its enabling law—the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act—clearly empowers it to both investigate and prosecute corruption-related offences.