The Constitutional Review Committee has recommended that the responsibility for prosecuting corruption cases involving politically exposed persons be removed from the Attorney-General, citing structural and credibility challenges.
Presenting the committee’s final report to President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, December 22, Chair Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh said the current system—where the Attorney-General is a political appointee rather than a career civil servant—creates difficulties in handling politically sensitive corruption cases.
“The committee is recommending the establishment of an independent Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to take over the prosecution of corruption-related offences, particularly those involving politically exposed persons,” Prof. Prempeh explained.
He noted that the proposed commission could consolidate the anti-corruption mandates of existing institutions.
“CHRAJ, for instance, could refocus fully on its core mandate of human rights and ombudsman work, while anti-corruption prosecution functions are transferred to the new commission alongside responsibilities currently handled by the Office of the Special Prosecutor and other agencies,” he said.
The committee believes the reform would strengthen public confidence in corruption prosecutions and relieve the Attorney-General’s office, allowing it to focus on constitutional litigation, international arbitration, legal sector reforms, and other key state legal matters.
Prof. Prempeh added that the proposal is part of broader constitutional reforms aimed at improving accountability, enhancing institutional independence, and shielding the state from excessive politicisation.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
