Felix Kwakye Ofosu Suggests Constitutional Reforms to Strengthen OSP
The government spokesperson says constitutional review may be necessary to secure the long-term future and legal authority of the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
- Felix Kwakye Ofosu denies claims that government plans to weaken or abolish the OSP.
- He says legal challenges facing the anti-corruption office stem from constitutional interpretation issues.
- The government spokesperson suggests constitutional reforms could help strengthen the OSP’s mandate and future operations.
Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu has suggested that constitutional reforms may be necessary to secure the long-term future and operational independence of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The Abura Asebu-Kwamankese MP dismissed suggestions that the Mahama administration intends to weaken or abolish the anti-corruption office.
“Absolutely not,” he said when questioned about alleged efforts within government to undermine the OSP.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu revealed that President John Dramani Mahama had previously intervened to halt attempts by some parliamentary leaders to scrap the institution.
According to him, both the Majority Leader and Majority Chief Whip had at one point introduced a bill seeking to abolish the OSP, but the President urged them to allow the office to continue operating.
He explained that the current controversies surrounding the Special Prosecutor are primarily legal and constitutional issues rather than political interference.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu cited a corruption case in which a defendant challenged the authority of the Special Prosecutor to prosecute cases without approval from the Attorney General under Article 88 of the Constitution.
He noted that the court upheld that argument, stressing that the judiciary has the responsibility to determine whether the office is acting within the law.
“What he does must accord with the law,” he stated.
The government spokesperson also referenced a separate Supreme Court case concerning the powers and operational scope of the OSP.
According to him, the Attorney General’s role in the matter is to provide what he believes is the correct legal interpretation under the Constitution.
Despite the ongoing legal challenges, Mr Kwakye Ofosu maintained that President Mahama remains supportive of the anti-corruption office and believes it should be given the opportunity to grow.
He acknowledged that, as a relatively new institution, the OSP may face operational and legal difficulties but said those challenges should not automatically lead to its dismantling.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu added that any decision by the Supreme Court would be binding under Ghana’s constitutional framework.
He further suggested that the ongoing constitutional review process could provide an avenue for reforms aimed at strengthening and clarifying the mandate of the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
“Perhaps we can take advantage of this constitutional review process to correct that,” he said.
