The future of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has become the subject of intense debate in Ghana’s Parliament, following the detention of private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu by the OSP.
Majority Leader, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, speaking on the floor of the House, called for the abolishment of the OSP. He argued that the Attorney-General is better positioned to lead the fight against corruption if adequately resourced, stressing that the duplication of institutions weakens accountability.
However, Hon. Samuel Jinapor, Member of Parliament for Damongo, disagreed, describing the creation of the OSP by the previous government as a “noble idea.” He urged the Majority Caucus to desist from pushing for the repeal of the Act that established the office, insisting that the OSP remains a vital tool in Ghana’s anti-corruption framework.
Earlier, Majority Chief Whip Hon. Rockson Dafeamekpor had urged the House to summon Special Prosecutor Mr. Kissi Agyebeng to explain the rationale behind recent detentions of individuals invited to assist investigations.
Presiding over the session, Rt. Hon. Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin cautioned against politicizing the actions of the OSP and other security institutions. He emphasized that the arrest and detention of individuals must be handled with fairness and transparency, free from partisan influence.
The debate underscores growing tensions over the role and effectiveness of the OSP, an institution established to strengthen Ghana’s fight against corruption but now facing calls for its dissolution.
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