OSP, Attorney General in Sync on Ofori-Atta Extradition — Kissi Agyebeng Clarifies Cooperation
OSP and Attorney General Maintain Cooperation on Ofori-Atta Case
The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has dismissed reports suggesting friction between the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Office of the Attorney General (AG) over the handling of the extradition process involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
Addressing journalists in Accra on Thursday, October 30, Mr. Agyebeng emphasized that both institutions are working collaboratively and that claims of internal disagreements are “without basis.”
“It’s unfortunate that there’s talk about withheld dockets and alleged disputes. That’s not the issue at all,” he clarified. “The goal is to get it right the first time, not to engage in unnecessary back-and-forth.”
Mr. Agyebeng reaffirmed the OSP’s commitment to securing Mr. Ofori-Atta’s extradition to Ghana, adding that dual citizenship would not obstruct the process. He explained that the OSP and AG’s office are coordinating to ensure due legal procedures are followed under international law.
“Having U.S. citizenship does not bar extradition,” he noted. “We will continue the process in partnership with the Attorney General to ensure transparency and accountability.”
The case has drawn national attention due to its implications for Ghana’s ongoing anti-corruption efforts. Coordination between the OSP and AG’s office is viewed as a crucial test of the country’s institutional cooperation in tackling high-profile corruption cases.
Observers say the assurance of unity between the two offices could strengthen public trust in the justice system, especially amid rising public scrutiny of how politically exposed persons are investigated and prosecuted
The Office of the Special Prosecutor was established in 2018 to independently investigate and prosecute corruption-related offenses, particularly those involving public officials. Since its creation, the OSP has worked alongside — and at times overlapped with — the Attorney General’s office, which traditionally leads criminal prosecutions in Ghana.
Tensions between the two bodies have occasionally surfaced in public discourse, often around jurisdiction and access to case files. However, both offices have repeatedly affirmed their shared mandate to uphold integrity in public office.
In recent years, Ghana has ranked around 70th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, signaling moderate improvement but persistent concerns about enforcement and political accountability.
While details of Mr. Ofori-Atta’s extradition timeline remain unclear, Mr. Agyebeng’s remarks suggest continued collaboration between the two key institutions. Analysts note that sustained cooperation between the OSP and AG’s office could be pivotal in shaping Ghana’s broader anti-corruption landscape.
The renewed assurance of unity between the OSP and Attorney General’s office underscores Ghana’s effort to reinforce institutional harmony in the fight against corruption — a necessary step toward strengthening public confidence in governance and the rule of law.
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