Calls to scrap the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) have triggered widespread debate, but governance expert, Dr. Bernard Bingab cautioned that abolishing the office would shield the corrupt rather than hold them accountable. He maintains that the priority should be strengthening the institution’s independence to ensure it can effectively investigate politically exposed persons.
Speaking to Tutuwaa Danso on Starr Today, Dr. Bingab cautioned that dismantling the institution would undermine the nation’s fight against corruption.
“I can say that it will take some time for us to uncover the full truth about what is happening in our back office. So, demanding immediate results within a very short period is simply unrealistic. If you have doubts, we are here to support you; please trust that we have already handled parts of the work, even if not in a manner you may expect. That is exactly why the office must be strengthened, not weakened.” He stated.
He added that those calling for the scrapping of the Office of the Special Prosecutor are only seeking to protect themselves. If they genuinely want to fight corruption, they would be advocating for a stronger OSP, not its abolition.
“I am no lawyer, and I do not know your background either, but we are all aware that the wheels of justice grind slowly. Why, then, did we set up the OSP in the first place? These issues have been raised in Parliament for years, and the argument has always been clear: when it comes to politically exposed persons, we need someone who is not aligned with any government; past or present. Without that independence, the fight against corruption becomes a mirage, and we end up making a joke of ourselves. As much as I wish the Special Prosecutor had achieved more by now, I still appeal to every citizen: let us find a way to strengthen that office. This is not about me, it’s about you, it’s about all of us. As a people, we need an independent anti-corruption institution if we are truly serious about fighting corruption.”
The proposed bill, dated December 8, 2025, argues that the OSP has faced structural and constitutional challenges over the past eight years, including duplication of prosecutorial functions with the Attorney-General’s Office and operational inefficiencies.
The memorandum accompanying the draft legislation also cites high administrative costs and limited impact relative to budget allocations as reasons Parliament should return corruption prosecution powers solely to the Attorney-General, as provided under Article 88 of the Constitution.
Supporters of the repeal contend that the existence of two separate prosecutorial bodies has created jurisdictional overlap, policy fragmentation and avoidable delays in criminal proceedings.
They propose that a specialised anti-corruption division within the Attorney-General’s Office would offer a more coherent and cost-effective model for fighting corruption.
The bill outlines transitional measures to integrate the OSP’s work into the Attorney-General’s structure without significant additional costs.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Benjamin Sackey
