The Office of the Special Prosecutor of Ghana was established after an act of the Parliament of Ghana passed the Office of Special Prosecutor Bill in 2017.[1] and put to the ground in 2018,

The office serves as an independent investigating and prosecution body to make inquiries into corruption, bribery, or other criminal cases at the national level whether they be in public or private sector.[2]

Purpose

The NPP Government intended to lessen the burden on existing anti-corruption agencies and remove the institutional roadblocks, that exist as hindrances to the fight against corruption. With the end result being to make anti-corruption agencies in the country more effective at discharging their duties.[3]

In addition, government experts have expressed the ineffectiveness of the Attorney-General, as an effective prosecution and law enforcement tool in the fight against corruption, because the appointment and dismissal of the Attorney-General is determined by the president.[1]

Therefore, the Office of the special prosecutor serves as the autonomous body to handle sensitive cases, which the Attorney General will otherwise be ineffective at handling.

Martin Amidu is the first to hold the position of special prosecutor,[4][5][6][7][8] but had to be replaced with as the second Kissi Agyebeng, after a fall out with the Government. The office of the special prosecutor is expected to take charge in fighting issues of corruption both in government and the public space.Currently the office is on the case of galamsey as brought out by Prof Frimpong and other issues.

Leadership

2021-2023

  • Kissi Agyebeng - Special Prosecutor[9]
  • Ms. Cynthia Jane N. K. Lamptey - Deputy Special Prosecutor
  • Dr. Isidore Kwadwo Tufuor - Director Prosecutions
  • Ms. Boakyewaa Glover - Director Administration
  • Mr. Albert Akurugu - Director Asset Recovery and Management
  • Mr. Emmanuel Basintale Amadu - Director Investigations
  • Mr. Samuel Appiah Darko - Director of Strategy, Research and Communication Division[9]

2018-2020

Mission

The core objective of the Ghanaian prosecutor's office is to investigate and bring charges against individuals suspected of corruption and corruption-related crimes. This includes recovering illicit gains, curbing corruption, and promoting transparent, responsible, and credible governance aligned with the constitution's goals.[11][12]

Location and Contact

You can reach the office at +233 (302) 668 517 or +233 (302) 668 506 or @osp.gov.gh.[13]

Headquarters

6 Haile Selassie Ave, South Ridge, Accra Ghana | GA-079-096[13]

Toll Free: 0800-000-700

Working Hours; Mon - Fri: 9:00 - 17:00

How one can file a complaint

Ghanaians can report corruption via the Office of the Special Prosecutor's website (osp.gov.gh). Prosecution targets public officials, politically exposed figures, private individuals, and legal entities.[14]

STEPS

  1. Enter 'osp.gov.gh' into the search bar of any web browser.[15]
  2. Click on the blinking button 'File a corruption report.
  3. Choose between reporting anonymously or using your own identity (General Reporting).
  4. Fill out the forms and attached/upload the necessary documents.
  5. Choose a category (nature of your report)
  6. Write your report in the notepad provided (Enter Full Report)
  7. Click on 'Submit Report'

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Parliament Passes Office of Special Prosecutor Bill,, 2017 - Government of Ghana". www.ghana.gov.gh. Retrieved 2018-06-02.
  2. ↑ "Office of The Special Prosecutor Bill, 2017 Memorandum" (PDF). Ghana news online.
  3. ↑ Gyampo, Yaw. "The Special Prosecutor and the Fight Against Corruption in Ghana: Some Thoughts". My Joy Online.
  4. ↑ "Martin Amidu unanimously approved as Special Prosecutor". Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  5. ↑ "Amidu sworn in as Ghana's first Special Prosecutor - citifmonline.com". citifmonline.com. 2018-02-23. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  6. ↑ "Nana Addo names Martin Amidu as Special Prosecutor - citifmonline.com". citifmonline.com. 2018-01-11. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  7. 1 2 "Parliament approves Martin Amidu as Special Prosecutor". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  8. ↑ "Parliament approves Martin Amidu as Special Prosecutor". 3newsgh. 2018-02-20. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  9. 1 2 "Our People". Office of the Special Prosecutor. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  10. ↑ https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-news-supreme-court-says-martin-amidu-s-appointment-as-special-prosecutor-is-lawful.html
  11. ↑ "OSP | Welcome to the Office of the Special Prosecutor". Office of the Special Prosecutor. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  12. ↑ Thiga, Tatiana (2022-10-26). "Special prosecutor Ghana: Functions, office holder and how to file a complaint". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  13. 1 2 "Contact". Office of the Special Prosecutor. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  14. ↑ https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/how-to-file-a-complaint-at-the-office-of-the-special-prosecutor.html
  15. ↑ "Report Corruption". Office of the Special Prosecutor. Retrieved 2023-08-11.

9.https://law.ug.edu.gh/news/mr-kissi-agyebeng-appointed-new-special-prosecutor-ghana

10.https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/special-prosecutor-releases-half-year-report-on-all- cases-under-investigation.html

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