The Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has suspended the process to repeal the law establishing the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), citing the intervention and “wisdom” of President John Dramani Mahama.

Addressing Parliament on Friday, the Bawku Central MP said the President’s advice warranted thoughtful consideration, especially on a matter as sensitive as Ghana’s anti-corruption architecture.

“Two heads are better than one… If His Excellency the President has also thought about it, and I add mine to his, I believe together we can find a better way of managing the situation,” Ayariga said.

His remarks came in response to concerns raised by Tolon MP, Habib Iddrisu, during the presentation of the Business Statement.

Background to the Repeal Attempt

Ayariga clarified that his Private Member’s Bill seeking to scrap the OSP was not a rash or unilateral decision, but stemmed from extensive past parliamentary debates. During those discussions, MPs from both sides questioned the continued relevance and effectiveness of the OSP in its current form.

Acting on guidance from the Speaker, who had earlier pointed out the procedural options for reconsidering state institutions, Ayariga co-signed the repeal proposal with Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Majority Chief Whip and MP for South Dayi.

The proposal was formally reviewed and cleared by the Committee on Private Members’ Bills, marking the beginning of the legislative process to repeal the OSP Act.

The committee had already met and the process was progressing smoothly until President Mahama publicly urged caution, asking the Majority Leader to reflect on the timing and implications of the move.

“Advice, Not a Directive” – Ayariga Clarifies President’s Role

Ayariga emphasized that the President’s intervention was counsel, not a command, reflecting a collaborative approach to governance.

He assured the House that he would pause the process and weigh the broader national interest before proceeding any further.

“Indeed, if I didn’t believe in his wisdom, I wouldn’t have voted for him to be President. On the basis of the request made to me by His Excellency and my colleague the Majority Chief Whip, I want to assure you that we will reconsider our decision,” he stated.

Not Abandonment, But Reflection

The Majority Leader stressed that halting the process does not mean concerns about the OSP have been dismissed. Rather, it demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that any reforms to Ghana’s anti-corruption framework are:

• well-considered
• consultative
• beneficial to national integrity systems

He pledged that upcoming steps would reflect “institutional wisdom” and the collective interest of both Parliament and the Executive.

This latest development signals a recalibration in the government’s approach to anti-corruption reforms, with both the Presidency and Parliament opting for deeper reflection before reshaping one of Ghana’s key accountability institutions.