CSOs advocate for protection of Special Prosecutor’s mandate amid legal challenges
The groups warn that recent legal actions could weaken the Office of the Special Prosecutor and threaten ongoing anti-corruption prosecutions.
A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has called on Ghanaians to defend and protect the mandate of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), warning that recent legal developments risk undermining its authority in the fight against corruption.
In a press release issued on April 20, 2026, the group including the Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), STAR Ghana Foundation, Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, Transparency International, and IMANI Africa expressed concern over attempts to weaken the prosecutorial independence of the OSP.
The concerns follow legal actions earlier this month involving the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017.
On April 8, the Attorney-General filed processes at the Supreme Court in the case of Noah Adamtey versus Attorney-General, supporting arguments that challenge aspects of the law that allow the OSP to prosecute without prior approval.
On April 15, a High Court in Accra ruled that the OSP’s authority to independently prosecute was unlawful, directing that all such cases be taken over by the Attorney-General.
The CSOs warn that these developments have immediately jeopardized the state’s ability to prosecute its ongoing cases against individuals accused of corruption and corruption-related offenses to the detriment of the public interest.”
Rather than calling for the creation of a new office, the coalition emphasized the need to safeguard and strengthen the existing OSP by preserving its independence.
“For over two decades Ghanaians have made it clear that they want an independent Public Prosecutor.” The statement noted
They stressed that the establishment of the OSP was a critical step toward achieving that goal and should not be reversed.
The groups argued that stripping the OSP of its prosecutorial powers defeats the very purpose for which it was created, especially in dealing with corruption cases involving politically exposed persons.
They further defended the constitutionality of the law establishing the OSP and rejected the Attorney-General’s position in the ongoing Supreme Court case. According to them, steps are underway to join the case as amicus curiae to support the law.
The coalition also described the High Court ruling as “ultra vires” and inconsistent, particularly as the matter is already before the Supreme Court.
“It is time to complete the process we started… The opportunity must not be missed.” The CSOs stated.
They further called for reforms that would fully entrench the independence of public prosecution in Ghana.
The CSO’s cautioned that weakening the OSP’s mandate could erode public trust and reverse gains made in promoting accountability.
“Ghanaians must therefore resist this effort to weaken the evolving public accountability institutional framework.” The statement added.
The press release was jointly signed by several organizations, including Penplusbytes, Africa Centre for Energy Policy, NORSAAC, Africa Education Watch, and other civil society groups.
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