We can’t continue allocating huge sums to the OSP – Speaker Bagbin

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has questioned the justification for the continued allocation of substantial budgetary resources to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), arguing that the office’s performance does not match the scale of investment it receives.

Addressing Parliament on Thursday, December 4, during the debate on the OSP’s budget estimates, the Speaker reiterated long-standing concerns over the legal foundation of the institution and its effectiveness since its establishment.

“There are some agencies — this morning you spoke about one of them, the OSP. And if you recall, during the deliberation on the OSP, many of us stated on this floor that there is no constitutional basis, but we wanted to signal to the world that we are going to fight corruption,” he said.

Bagbin noted that despite Parliament’s initial goodwill, the outcomes delivered by the OSP have fallen short of expectations.

“At the end of the day, we have seen the results, and we cannot continue to allocate these huge sums to the same office when we are not getting the results,” he stressed.

He raised particular concern that the OSP’s annual allocation is now nearly equivalent to that of the Attorney-General’s Department, despite the stark difference in output and statutory responsibility.

“This is one of the agencies we should be looking at,” he insisted. “It is getting almost the same amount as the Attorney-General’s Department.”

The Speaker urged Members of Parliament to address the matter without hesitation to ensure prudent and accountable use of public funds.

“Please, let’s face the bull by the horns and make sure the right thing is done,” he said, adding that the Majority Leader should take note and brief the Finance Minister on the concerns raised.

Bagbin also welcomed Parliament’s decision to hold a committee-of-the-whole sitting to tackle key outstanding issues, describing the move as timely and necessary.

“It’s very important that as a House, we cannot continue failing the good people of Ghana. If we do our work well, we’ll be able to curb corruption. We’ll be able to hold the Executive to account — not only for money, but for the trust that the people repose in leadership,” he added.