President John Dramani Mahama has pushed back against growing calls for the closure of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), describing such demands as premature and counterproductive to Ghana’s anti-corruption agenda.
Speaking during a meeting with members of the National Peace Council at the Presidency on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, President Mahama stressed that the OSP remains a crucial pillar in the country’s fight against corruption and must be given adequate time and support to deliver on its mandate.
“The OSP Must Be Allowed Time to Work”
President Mahama explained that the Office of the Special Prosecutor was created to enhance public confidence in Ghana’s justice system, especially given longstanding concerns that the Attorney General, who is part of the government, may be reluctant to prosecute officials within the same administration.
“I think it is premature to call for the closure of that office,” he stated.
“People had mistrust for the Attorney General because the Attorney General normally is a member of the government… They believe the Attorney General would be reluctant to prosecute his own.”
He emphasized that the OSP’s independence, security of tenure, and autonomous team of prosecutors reassure citizens that wrongdoing will be addressed irrespective of political affiliation.
Mahama Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Anti-Corruption Bodies
The President underscored his administration’s commitment to bolstering Ghana’s anti-corruption infrastructure, including the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the OSP.
“That is why we are resourcing EOCO and the other anti-corruption institutions, including the Office of the Special Prosecutor,” he said.
Mahama noted that accountability is vital to preventing the governance failures that have recently contributed to military takeovers in parts of West Africa.
“I do not enjoy prosecuting people. But the people of Ghana will not forgive us if people develop impunity in terms of abusing the trust placed in them,” he stressed.
A Renewed Call for Patience and Institutional Trust
President Mahama urged Ghanaians to allow the OSP time to fulfill its mandate, emphasizing that effective justice requires both independence and institutional stability.
His remarks come amid national debate over the efficiency and relevance of the Office of the Special Prosecutor following high-profile investigations and public criticism of the office’s pace of work.
With the President signaling firm support for the OSP, Ghana’s anti-corruption architecture appears set for further strengthening rather than rollback.
