Former Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Dame, has strongly criticised what he describes as attempts by government actors to weaken the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), calling the developments “shocking and perplexing.”
Speaking on the growing national debate over the independence and operational strength of anti-corruption institutions, Mr. Dame expressed concern that recent actions and public commentary risk undermining the mandate of the OSP.
He argued that the Special Prosecutor’s office was created as a key pillar in Ghana’s fight against corruption and must be allowed to function without interference or subtle efforts to diminish its authority.
Describing the situation as troubling, Mr. Dame insisted that any moves perceived to limit the effectiveness of the OSP could have serious implications for accountability and public trust in governance.
He maintained that during his tenure as Attorney-General, there was respect for institutional boundaries, stressing that the OSP was consistently allowed to carry out its investigations independently.
Mr. Dame further noted that weakening such an institution would not only affect ongoing anti-corruption efforts but could also discourage future accountability initiatives in the country.
His comments come amid renewed public discussion about the relationship between the Attorney-General’s office and the OSP, with differing views emerging over the extent of cooperation and independence between the two institutions.
Civil society actors and legal experts have also weighed in on the matter, with some calling for clearer safeguards to protect the autonomy of the Special Prosecutor’s office, while others argue for improved coordination between state legal bodies.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor, established to independently investigate and prosecute corruption and corruption-related offences, remains a central institution in Ghana’s governance and accountability framework.
Mr. Dame’s remarks are expected to further fuel the ongoing national conversation on institutional independence and the future of anti-corruption enforcement in Ghana.
