The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has expressed its appreciation to President Mahama for his initiative in requesting the suspension of a Bill aimed at abolishing the office.
The Private Member’s Bill, introduced by Mahama Ayariga, the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, along with Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, the Member of Parliament for South Dayi, intended to revoke the Office of Special Prosecutor Act, 2017, thereby transferring its powers to the Attorney-General.
In a memorandum dated December 8, they argued that “…the operational experience since the inception of the Office of the Special Prosecutor has uncovered ongoing challenges, such as the overlap of constitutional prosecutorial duties between the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the Attorney-General, institutional conflicts, and jurisdictional overlaps that lead to delays and inefficiencies.”
In its Half-Yearly Report for December 2025, the OSP lauded the President for his intervention, emphasizing that it reaffirms the rationale behind establishing the Office as an independent anti-corruption entity distinct from the Attorney General.
“The Office extends its highest commendation to the President – and the nation owes His Excellency gratitude – for the prompt and decisive request for the bill’s withdrawal. The President’s action firmly reinforced the well-considered collective wisdom articulated in the first National Anti-Corruption Action Programme regarding the establishment of the Office as the benchmark independent anti-corruption agency separate from the Attorney General,” the report indicated.
The report further noted that the cessation of the Bill corresponds with the “very evident and practical consideration that the Attorney General, as a member of Cabinet and the chief legal advisor to the Government, is not ideally positioned to investigate and prosecute members of a government to which he is affiliated.”
