President John Dramani Mahama has expressed support for strengthening the prosecutorial authority of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) as legal questions over its mandate continue to unfold in the courts.
Speaking at the 2026 May Day celebrations in Koforidua, the President acknowledged that the matter is currently before the courts but maintained that there is room to empower the anti-corruption body to function effectively.
“While some of the issues are pending appeal and Supreme Court interpretation, government believes that there is space for an effective Office of the Special Prosecutor with special powers of prosecution.”
His comments come in the wake of a legal tussle over whether the OSP has the authority to independently prosecute corruption-related cases, an issue now subject to judicial interpretation.
This follows a recent High Court ruling that questioned the OSP’s authority to independently prosecute criminal cases, holding that such powers are constitutionally vested in the Attorney-General. The decision has since been challenged, with the matter expected to be determined by the Supreme Court.
The OSP was established in 2017 to investigate and prosecute corruption-related offences, particularly those involving public officials, and to operate with a degree of independence from political control. The ongoing legal dispute, however, has raised concerns about the extent of its prosecutorial powers and its effectiveness in leading anti-corruption efforts.
