OSP Urges Civil Society to Safeguard His Office
By Lois Amanor
At a national dialogue on strengthening the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Ghana’s Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, called on civil society to protect the institution and ensure its survival beyond his tenure. Speaking at the event, he stressed that more than 70 percent of Ghanaians want an independent body to fight corruption, and over half trust the OSP more than any other institution. “With this, my job is done,” he said, adding that the office must be preserved by citizens, not left vulnerable to political decisions.
Mr. Agyebeng revealed that he has begun counting down the days until his departure as Special Prosecutor. He expressed hope that when he leaves, he can look back and say civil society forged and preserved the OSP. He warned that attempts to weaken or abolish the office, which surfaced in 2025, are still alive. “We should not depend on the goodness of the president to withdraw such proposals from parliament. Rather, we should build this institution for the ages,” he said.
Reflecting on 2025, Agyebeng described it as both the OSP’s best year of performance and its worst year of existential troubles. He criticized the idea of tailoring reforms around his personality, insisting that legal provisions should not depend on individual traits. “Do not let this office’s existence depend on whether the president wants it to operate,” he cautioned.
He pointed to the ongoing constitutional review process as a “glorious opportunity” to secure the OSP’s future. The review committee has already proposed embedding the office in the Constitution, a move Agyebeng welcomed. He argued that this would ensure future special prosecutors spend less time fighting for the survival of the office and more time tackling corruption.
“The next special prosecutor should not have to spend so much energy defending the institution instead of focusing on its core mandate,” he said. He described the current situation as unfair and damaging to Ghana’s anti corruption fight, noting that existential battles weaken the office’s ability to deliver results.
Agyebeng urged civil society to take ownership of the OSP, stressing that its survival should not depend on political goodwill. He emphasized that the fight against corruption requires strong, independent institutions that can withstand political pressure.
The dialogue, held under the theme Strengthening the Rule of Law and the Fight Against Corruption Through Citizen Support for the OSP and Codifying Public Ethics Rules, highlighted the importance of embedding anti corruption mechanisms in Ghana’s governance framework. For Agyebeng, the message was clear: civil society must secure the OSP for the future, ensuring it remains a lasting pillar in the fight against corruption.
