OSP appeals acquittal of Juaben MCE nominee

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has filed an appeal against the Kumasi High Court’s decision to acquit and discharge Alexander Kwabena Sarfo-Kantanka, the former nominee for Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) in 2021 under former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration.

In a statement shared on social media, the OSP said it “disagrees with the ruling,” describing the judgment as “inconsistent with the weight of the evidence.”

Mr. Sarfo-Kantanka had been facing 26 counts of corruption-related charges, brought by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng following an investigation that began in November 2021.

The charges stemmed from a viral video in which Sarfo-Kantanka was seen berating some assembly members who allegedly accepted money from him but failed to confirm his nomination as MCE.

According to the OSP, the former nominee allegedly gave GH₵5,000 to each elected assembly member and GH₵2,500 to government appointees, purportedly to secure their votes.

However, on Monday, May 26, 2025, the court, presided over by Justice Priscilla Dikro Ofori, ruled that the evidence presented, including the video footage, did not prove that the money was intended to influence the outcome of the confirmation vote.

In response, the OSP maintained that the trial judge “erred on key legal and factual issues,” and is pursuing an appeal to overturn the acquittal.