Former Auditor General and anti-corruption advocate, Daniel Yaw Domelevo, has lauded the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for its meticulous handling of the Airbus scandal. During an interview on *The Big Issue* on Channel One TV, Domelevo praised the OSP for its independent approach and for presenting its findings with integrity.
Domelevo emphasized that while public servants often feel pressured to align with presidential preferences, the OSP conducted its investigations with independence. He noted, “I was full of commendations for him (the Special Prosecutor) because, especially when a request comes from the office of the president, public servants are likely to read between the lines to please the president. However, the OSP carried out its assessments independently and presented a bold report.”
Despite some controversy surrounding the report, Domelevo expressed satisfaction with the OSP’s independent and transparent approach. He highlighted that while reactions to the report varied among Ghanaians, the key takeaway is the OSP’s commitment to conducting an unbiased investigation.
The Airbus scandal came to light when Ghana was named among five countries where the global aerospace giant Airbus SE allegedly engaged in bribery to secure business favors between 2009 and 2015, according to the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO). This led to a landmark £3 billion settlement by Airbus with France, the UK, and the US.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had referred the case to the OSP for further investigation. Former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu had previously reported that former President John Mahama was the government official code-named ‘Government Official 1’ in the SFO’s report. Although this claim was contested and denied by Mahama, recent findings from the OSP have confirmed Mahama as GO1 and identified his brother, Samuel Mahama, as Intermediary 5. Despite this, the OSP clarified that Mahama had no role in the acquisition process.
Domelevo’s commendation underscores the importance of independent oversight in upholding transparency and accountability in high-profile cases.
