Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga is calling for the dissolution of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), insisting that the Attorney-General’s Office should solely handle the investigation and prosecution of corruption-related offences.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, December 4, Mr. Ayariga questioned why the Attorney-General remains under-resourced while significant budgetary allocations continue to be directed to the OSP, which he believes has not lived up to expectations.
“Look at the budget — why have we not been resourcing the Attorney-General? After resourcing the OSP more than the Attorney-General, the OSP is still not delivering. I am of a strong conviction that the OSP should be abolished, whether through a private member’s bill as advised by former Speaker Prof. Mike Oquaye, or a call on the Executive to expedite a bill that we will consider and approve in this House,” he said.
Mr. Ayariga also rejected claims that abolishing the OSP would allow corrupt individuals to escape accountability.
“Let me sound a warning that the abolition of the OSP will not leave individuals engaged in corruption off the hook. I will ensure that the process is expedited,” he added.
His remarks come amid heightened public attention on the OSP following the recent detention of private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu after a confrontation with security officers at the OSP headquarters.
