It Is Premature to Call for the Scrapping of the Office of the Special Prosecutor — President Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has stated that calls for the abolition of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) are premature, insisting that the institution remains crucial to Ghana’s anti-corruption framework.

Speaking during an engagement on Wednesday, President Mahama acknowledged the public concerns surrounding the OSP’s performance but maintained that the solution is not to scrap it, but to strengthen it.

“There are genuine issues that must be addressed, but it is premature to call for the scrapping of the Office of the Special Prosecutor,” he said. “The office was created to enhance accountability and fight corruption. What we must do is fix the weaknesses, not abandon the idea.”

His comments come amid renewed national debate over the relevance and effectiveness of the OSP, following high-profile resignations, stalled investigations, and public dissatisfaction with the pace of prosecutions.

President Mahama argued that dismantling the institution would send the wrong signal about Ghana’s commitment to combating corruption.

“We must reinforce the independence of the office, resource it adequately, and insulate it from political interference,” he added. “Scrapping it will take us backwards.”

The President indicated that the government is reviewing proposals to amend aspects of the OSP Act to improve operational efficiency and strengthen legal clarity around its mandate.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor was established in 2018 to investigate and prosecute corruption-related offences, particularly those involving public officials.