“I Don’t Trust the Special Prosecutor; He Talks Too Much and Does Too Little” – Tony Aidoo Fires Kissi Agyebeng

Former Senior Presidential Aide, Dr. Tony Aidoo, has sharply criticized Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), questioning its effectiveness in the fight against corruption and accusing it of failing to deliver tangible results.

Speaking in an interview on Thursday, July 17, Dr. Aidoo expressed deep frustration with how corruption is being handled in Ghana, laying blame on both government inaction and what he described as the poor performance of the OSP.

“I’ve lost confidence in the Special Prosecutor. He talks big and small — but clearly doesn’t know what he’s doing,” Dr. Aidoo stated bluntly. “He’s made a mess of major cases like the Cecilia Dapaah scandal. So far, he hasn’t achieved any meaningful conviction on corruption. What are we paying him for?”

According to Dr. Aidoo, the Special Prosecutor has failed to build strong prosecutorial cases, which in turn has allowed the judiciary to dismiss or stall many corruption-related charges.

“If your evidence is solid, judges won’t ignore it. But if you present weak cases, expect weak outcomes. He talks too much and does very little. My advice? Talk less, act more.”

Dr. Aidoo questioned whether the OSP is protecting powerful individuals, pointing to what he believes is a pattern of failed prosecutions and missed opportunities to serve justice.

Context: What Is the OSP?

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) was established in 2017 under Act 959 to be Ghana’s independent, specialized anti-corruption body. It was designed to overcome the limitations of previous agencies by combining investigative, prosecutorial, and asset-recovery powers under one institution.

Its core mandate includes:

• Investigating high-profile corruption cases involving public officials and politically exposed persons.

• Prosecuting offenders independently of the Attorney General.

• Recovering and managing stolen or unexplained assets.

• Leading public awareness campaigns and preventive efforts to curb corruption.

OSP’s Achievements So Far:

Despite criticism, the OSP has reported several milestones:

• 7 convictions in corruption-related cases.

• Over GHS 4 million recovered in stolen assets.

• GHS 135 million saved by blocking potentially corrupt transactions.

• High-profile investigations into cases such as the Cecilia Dapaah money scandal, National Cathedral procurement, and illegal mining syndicates.

• Sensitization of over 6 million youth through its Youth Against Corruption programme.

• Partnerships with CHRAJ, EOCO, and the media to promote transparency.

OSP Under Fire Despite Progress

Dr. Aidoo’s remarks reflect ongoing public debate over the effectiveness of the OSP, especially in high-profile prosecutions that have yet to yield convictions. While the office touts achievements in asset recovery and public awareness, critics like Dr. Aidoo argue that it still falls short in its most crucial mandate: securing justice through effective prosecution.

As corruption remains a pressing issue in Ghana, calls for reform, stronger legal frameworks, and visible results from anti-graft institutions continue to grow louder.