A fierce public debate has erupted in Ghana after several MPs called for the Office of the Special Prosecutor OSP to be abolished with critics warning that dismantling the anti corruption body would weaken efforts to hold powerful officials to account
The row has dominated national conversation since Parliament signalled support for scrapping the institution last week Lawmakers backing the move argue the OSP has failed to deliver results since its creation in 2018 and has instead overreached its mandate most recently in the arrest of private lawyer Martin Kpebu
Speaker Alban Bagbin and Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga have both questioned the offices effectiveness Mr Ayariga told Parliament that the OSP had not justified the resources invested in it and said corruption cases should return to the Attorney Generals department The Majority Leader insists abolition would not prevent prosecutions of former officials
Their position has been met with a wave of opposition from civil society groups legal analysts and some MPs who say scrapping the OSP would be a serious setback Senyo Hosi of the OneGhana Movement described the proposal as a political attempt to roll back accountability urging Parliament to focus on fixing weaknesses rather than dissolving the office
Legal scholar Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare said the OSP was a good idea crippled by poor implementation arguing that Ghana should improve the framework instead of abandoning it Anti corruption advocate Edem Senanu also criticised the parliamentary push calling it alarming and short sighted
Edudzi Tamakloe a leading member of the National Democratic Congress and chief executive of the National Petroleum Authority added a political dimension to the debate He warned that calls for the OSP to be scrapped could amount to a trap suggesting that any party seen championing abolition risks being accused of seeking to shield its own members from future scrutiny He advised lawmakers to approach the issue with caution and clarity to avoid deepening public mistrust
Some commentators have suggested restructuring the institution Lawyer Ace Ankomah proposed merging the OSP with the Directorate of Public Prosecutions under a single independent prosecutorial body Others say better funding clearer mandates and stronger safeguards are needed to ensure the OSP functions as intended
The controversy follows widespread unease over the detention of Mr Kpebu who was arrested after a disagreement with security personnel at the OSPs office Supporters of abolition say the incident reflects a broader pattern of operational excess Opponents insist it highlights the need for reform and stronger oversight
Parliament is expected to consider legislation that would formally repeal the law establishing the OSP Civil society organisations have already begun mobilising against the plan warning that abolition would undermine public trust in the states willingness to confront corruption
For now the future of the OSP has become one of the most divisive issues in Ghanas political landscape exposing deep disagreements over how the country should build institutions to tackle graft
