Politicians See OSP as “Bad News” – Kissi Agyebeng
Special Prosecutor warns political forces view the office as a threat, calling for constitutional safeguards and public support to protect its independence
- Kissi Agyebeng says politicians see the Office of the Special Prosecutor as “bad news”
- The office’s continued existence is credited to backing from President John Dramani Mahama
- Agyebeng urges stronger legal protections and public support to ensure the OSP’s independence
The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has expressed concerns about political interference in the operations of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), describing the institution as a frequent target for politicians seeking to curtail its work.
Speaking at the National Dialogue on the Focus of the Special Prosecutor on Tuesday, March 31, Agyebeng credited President John Dramani Mahama’s support for the office’s continued existence, noting that a bill reportedly drafted by the parliamentary Majority aimed to abolish the OSP. Without such backing, he suggested, the institution might have been dismantled.
Agyebeng warned that politicians view the OSP as “bad news” for their interests, highlighting the ongoing threats to its authority. He emphasized the importance of strong support from civil society and the public to safeguard the office.
Stressing that the OSP’s independence should not rely solely on the goodwill of any sitting president, Agyebeng called for constitutional measures to ensure its permanence and autonomy.
“We must build this office for the ages,” he said, “so that future Special Prosecutors can focus on their mandate rather than constantly fighting for survival.”
