Former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, has launched a scathing critique of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), questioning its relevance, performance, and legal posture in the ongoing matter involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
Mr. Agyepong accused the OSP of conducting a “media trial” instead of following due process through the courts.
“So what is wrong with this OSP? Is he conducting a public and media trial of Ken Ofori-Atta? As of now, no charges have been brought against Ken, so he’s not an accused person yet—even if the OSP sees him as a person of interest,” he said.
He also questioned the delay in prosecution, suggesting that if the OSP indeed has credible evidence, it should have filed charges by now.
“If the OSP truly has what he claims, why hasn’t he charged Ken with all the assembled facts and evidence and begun prosecution in a proper court of law? After all, people have been tried in absentia several times in the past. Does he need Ken’s physical presence before doing his job?” he asked.
Mr. Agyepong challenged the legality of the OSP’s attempt to label Mr. Ofori-Atta a “fugitive from justice,” arguing that only a competent court has the authority to make such a declaration.
“That cannot be the mandate of a prosecutor. He should be busy trying to prove his case before a judge. When he claimed his life was under threat, didn’t he find it necessary to operate outside the country at our expense? If he could work from abroad, he could also reach Ken. This is clearly a PR stunt to justify his presence in an office that, frankly, should never have been set up in the first place—a worthless drain on our overstretched public purse.”
He also defended Mr. Ofori-Atta’s constitutional right to remain silent, warning against any form of pressure that could violate his legal rights.
“I think Ken’s legal team should call his bluff. Why should Ken provide him with evidence that could incriminate him in a potential trial? The OSP is not a judge and must be stopped from exceeding his mandate,” he stressed.
Despite his strong disapproval of the OSP’s operations, Mr. Agyepong reaffirmed his commitment to lawful accountability in public service.
“As a patriot of our beloved motherland Ghana, I want all who have misconducted themselves whilst in government to face the full consequences of their actions—but in a lawful way, not through high-handed, Rambo-style invasions being carried out under the guise of investigations.”
He warned that such actions risk political backlash, particularly for the NPP, if seen as excessive or politically motivated.
“We, the people, will not condone any moves calculated to further damage our party’s brand on the altar of political expediency. Period.”
Mr. Agyepong’s comments have reignited debate about the role and effectiveness of the OSP, and whether its continued existence justifies the cost to the taxpayer.
About the OSP
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) was established in 2018 by President Akufo-Addo as an independent anti-corruption agency, mandated to investigate, prosecute, and prevent corruption in both public and private sectors.
Created under the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), the OSP was designed to function independently of executive control, aiming to close loopholes in existing anti-corruption institutions.
While hailed initially as a bold reform, the OSP has faced persistent scrutiny over its legal posture, output, and public communication strategies.