Kissi Agyebeng, Ghana’s Special Prosecutor, has outlined the significance of his office in tackling the decades-old canker of corruption, which he says has hindered the country’s development.
According to the country’s second Special Prosecutor, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), despite criticisms since its establishment by the previous NPP administration, remains the surest way to fight corruption.
Speaking at the Annual Constitution Day lecture organised by the One Ghana Movement in collaboration with the UPSA School of Law in Accra on Friday, February 28, Mr. Agyebeng stressed the need to strengthen the OSP to stand the test of time.
He further proposed measures such as incorporating the office into the country’s constitutional framework to solidify its independence and shield it from political interference.
“From my experience, the OSP represents our best bet in fighting corruption. Its present attributes, mandate, powers, and reach afford it a pole-position as the foremost and focal institution in tackling the problem,” said the anti-graft fighter.
“We must write the Office of the Special Prosecutor into the constitution and firm it up. Do not dwell on me. My tenure will end at some point and like everyone else, I will leave the scene. The focus should be on building institutions that stand the test of time,” he added.
Mr. Agyebeng further noted that the OSP requires several reforms to make it fully fit for purpose.
“Therefore, its independence must be fully assured, and its powers and mandate should be enlarged and enhanced. By so doing, we would entrench the fight against corruption in the constitution and insulate the foremost anti-corruption law enforcement institution from political marginalization and reprisals,” he stated.
According to him, everyone wants corruption to be fought, yet nobody appears ready to fight corruption.
“Everyone wants the Special Prosecutor to do his job. Yet no one wants the Special Prosecutor to do his job,” he emphasises.
