Public intellectual and commentator Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie has issued a fervent appeal to Ghanaians and political leaders: do not destroy the still-young Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). In a recent opinion piece, he argued that coordinated efforts to discredit the office pose a serious threat to Ghana’s anti-corruption progress.
Dadzie recalled the scepticism that surrounded the OSP from its inception. Many viewed it either as a political tool or redundant given existing institutions. He noted how its first head resigned under pressure and how even respected public figures criticised the office’s mandate. But, he argues, those early struggles do not justify undermining the institution entirely.
He warned that recent efforts to delegitimise the OSP represent a dangerous campaign. He believes that some critics are less interested in reform than in dismantling an agency that can scrutinise powerful figures across the political divide. Dadzie said this backlash is being driven by partisanship and fear of accountability, not by constructive critique.
Highlighting the importance of institutional maturity, Dadzie pointed out that many of Ghana’s traditional oversight agencies took decades to become effective. He argued that unrealistic expectations for immediate perfection of the OSP ignore the reality that building a corruption-fighting body takes time, consistency, and public support.
He urged Ghanaians to grant the Special Prosecutor’s office room to grow. While acknowledging its flaws, Dadzie called for patient yet rigorous oversight, not sabotage. He demanded that critics push for improvements through law, regulation, and civic dialogue rather than applying pressure to dissolve or disempower the office.
Dadzie also praised some of the OSP’s achievements, including ongoing investigations, prosecutions, and asset recovery. He said that the office has made real gains despite resource constraints and political pressure. According to him, weakening such a body would send a message that Ghana is no longer serious about fighting corruption.
He concluded with a powerful call: a nation that truly cares about its integrity cannot allow its anti-corruption institutions to be destroyed by those they investigate. He urged citizens, civil society and political actors to defend the OSP’s independence and ensure it becomes stronger over time for the future of Ghana.