OSP calls for entrenchment of Act 959

The Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyabeng, says it is critical to strengthen the Office of the Special Prosecutor and also ensure the constitutional entrenchment of the institution.  This includes other law enforcement bodies dedicated to fighting corruption in Ghana after its establishment in 2018 by Act 959 passed by Parliament in 2017.

At the forum on the Corruption Perceptions Index, held on the 31st of January 2024, he stated that by solidifying these entities within the country’s constitution, there is a higher probability of effectively curbing corruption and holding accountable those responsible for perpetuating it.

In his submission at the forum which centered on the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, Mr Agyabeng expressed his disappointment with Ghana’s sluggish corruption score of 43, which has remained unchanged since 2020.

Transparency International’s report revealed that Ghana ranked 70th out of 180 countries and territories included in the index. From this ranking, Ghana has experienced four consecutive years of stagnancy in its anti-corruption efforts, as highlighted by the CPI.

During the Corruption Perceptions Index forum in Accra on January 31st, 2024, the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyabeng, underscored the urgent need to establish specialized anti-corruption courts in Ghana.

He stressed that if the country truly desires to fight the increasing cases of corruption, these courts are essential in prosecuting individuals suspected of engaging in corrupt activities and handling corruption-related cases.

Furthermore, Mr Kissi Agyabeng dismissed the calls to abolish his office, asserting that these demands lack substantial evidence regarding the effectiveness of his office.