CDD-Ghana’s Kojo Asante Says Ending the OSP Would Be a Major Betrayal of Citizens
The Centre for Democratic Development-Ghana (CDD-Ghana) has expressed strong disapproval over a proposal by the Majority Caucus in Parliament to dissolve the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante, Director of Programs and Policy Engagement at CDD-Ghana, described the move as a troubling and unnecessary step that could severely undermine national efforts to fight corruption.
In a passionate public statement, Dr. Asante argued that attempts to abolish the OSP represent what he called “the greatest betrayal of public trust.” He criticized the Majority Members of Parliament for introducing a bill that he believes does not reflect the interests or desires of the Ghanaian people. According to him, ordinary citizens have been vocal in supporting stronger anti-corruption institutions, not weaker ones.
Dr. Asante questioned the political motivation behind the repeal proposal. He urged Ghanaians to directly confront and challenge their representatives in Parliament. In his view, Members of Parliament should act in alignment with the wishes of the public rather than pursuing actions that appear to shield political interests from scrutiny. “Who exactly are they representing?” he asked, emphasizing how critical the OSP has been symbolically and operationally in the fight against corruption.
He warned that abolishing the OSP would set Ghana back significantly. The institution, established to independently investigate and prosecute high-level corruption, has served as one of the nation’s boldest attempts to strengthen accountability. Dr. Asante stressed that dismantling it without a comprehensive and transparent national dialogue would be a misguided decision that could erode citizens’ confidence in democratic governance.
In addition, he pointed out that Parliament is already reviewing portions of the 1992 Constitution, which means there is ample opportunity for broader reform that could address any genuine structural concerns with the OSP. According to Dr. Asante, the repeal effort bypasses this ongoing process and creates suspicion about the intentions behind it.
Dr. Asante called for the public to remain vigilant and proactive. He encouraged citizens, civil society groups, and media organizations to demand clarity from lawmakers and push back against initiatives that weaken oversight institutions. Transparency, in his view, must remain at the heart of Ghana’s democratic and governance systems.
The debate over the OSP comes at a time when the country continues to grapple with concerns about corruption, governance effectiveness, and the strength of its accountability mechanisms. As discussions intensify, many civil society groups stand in agreement with CDD-Ghana, arguing that abolishing the Special Prosecutor’s Office would be a step in the wrong direction and a disservice to the country’s progress in combating graft.
