BY VALENTIA TETTEH
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, has called for the complete abolition of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), arguing that the institution has failed to meet its mandate and should be replaced by a fully resourced Attorney-General’s Office.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, December 4, Mr. Ayariga questioned why the government continues to allocate substantial resources to the OSP while the Attorney-General’s Office remains underfunded.
“Look at the budget, why have we not been resourcing the Attorney-General?” he asked. “After resourcing the OSP more than the Attorney-General, the office is still not delivering. I’m of a strong conviction that the OSP should be abolished, whether through a private member’s bill as advised by former Speaker Prof. Mike Oquaye, or a call on the executive to expedite a bill that we will consider and approve by the House.”
Mr. Ayariga stressed that disbanding the OSP would not weaken Ghana’s anti-corruption fight. “Let me sound a warning: abolition of the OSP will not leave individuals engaged in corruption off the hook. I will ensure that the process is expedited,” he stated.
“If the OSP is not fit for purpose, repeal it” — Jinapor
Supporting the Majority Leader’s position, the Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Jinapor, urged the government to use its numbers in Parliament to repeal the OSP Act if it believes the institution no longer serves its purpose.
“If you believe the Office of Special Prosecutor is not fit for purpose, you have the majority… repeal it. What are you waiting for?” he said.
Mr. Jinapor underscored the need for fairness and consistency in the application of the law. “Ghana is sick and tired of talk. We need action. Laws must be applied fairly and equally to all citizens, regardless of position or affiliation,” he said, cautioning against selective justice.
He referenced recent incidents involving members of the ruling party and warned that such practices undermine confidence in the country’s justice system. “The law must be applied impartially to ensure justice and equality,” he added.
The call comes amid renewed public attention on the OSP following the arrest and detention of private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu after an altercation at the office’s headquarters.
