The New Patriotic Party (NPP) minority caucus in Parliament has raised a strong alarm over what it describes as a calculated and multi-layered attempt by the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to weaken and ultimately dismantle the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), warning that such efforts could entrench corruption within the state.
Addressing a press conference at Parliament House in Accra on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Deputy Ranking Member on the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee and Member of Parliament for Gushegu, Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana, accused the government of orchestrating a deliberate campaign to “internalise corruption” by stripping the OSP of its independence and prosecutorial authority.
According to him, recent developments—culminating in a High Court ruling that questioned the prosecutorial mandate of the OSP—are not isolated legal events, but rather part of a broader political strategy aimed at neutralising the anti-corruption institution.
“The events we are witnessing go beyond a mere legal dispute. They reveal a pattern—a systematic effort to suffocate an institution specifically created to fight corruption independently of executive control,” he stated.
Mr. Tampuli Sulemana outlined what the Minority described as a “four-stage assault” on the OSP, beginning with an attempt to repeal the enabling law that established the office, followed by a series of petitions seeking the removal of the Special Prosecutor, constitutional litigation challenging the OSP’s powers, and finally, the recent High Court decision.
He argued that the initial legislative attempt to repeal the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), shortly after the detention of private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu in December 2025, signaled the beginning of what he termed a “politically motivated backlash” against the institution.
“The speed with which the repeal bill was introduced—just days after the OSP engaged an individual perceived to be aligned with the NDC—raises serious concerns about motive and intent,” he said.
Although the bill was later withdrawn following public backlash and intervention from President John Mahama, the Minority insists the move merely marked a shift in strategy rather than an abandonment of the objective.
The Gushegu MP further pointed to multiple petitions filed against Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, describing them as “coordinated and politically driven,” especially after none of them established a prima facie case when reviewed by the Chief Justice.
“The failure of these petitions did not end the campaign. It simply evolved into a legal challenge at the Supreme Court, where even the Attorney-General is now seen to be aligning with arguments against the OSP,” he alleged.
He expressed particular concern over the role of the Attorney-General, accusing the office of failing in its duty to defend state institutions and instead supporting efforts that could render the OSP ineffective.
The Minority also questioned the timing and implications of the April 15, 2026 High Court ruling, which declared that the OSP lacks constitutional authority to initiate prosecutions and directed the Attorney-General to take over its cases.
Mr. Tampuli Sulemana argued that the decision raises serious constitutional issues, insisting that only the Supreme Court has the jurisdiction to interpret the constitutionality of an Act of Parliament.
“A High Court cannot, by any procedural means, invalidate the core provisions of an Act of Parliament. That authority rests solely with the Supreme Court,” he stressed.
He warned that allowing the ruling to stand without challenge could set a dangerous precedent and undermine Ghana’s anti-corruption framework.
The Minority is therefore calling for an immediate appeal against the ruling and a stay of execution, while urging the Supreme Court to expedite its determination of the pending case challenging the OSP’s prosecutorial powers.
Additionally, the caucus is demanding that the Attorney-General be summoned before Parliament to explain his position in the ongoing legal proceedings, and has called on President Mahama to clearly state his stance on the future of the OSP.
“He cannot publicly endorse the OSP while actions within his government suggest otherwise. Ghanaians deserve clarity,” Mr. Tampuli Sulemana said.
The Minority maintained that the creation of the OSP was a deliberate effort to insulate anti-corruption prosecutions from political interference, and any attempt to roll back that independence would reverse critical gains made in governance and accountability.
“The fight against corruption cannot be credible if those in power also control who gets prosecuted. That is precisely what the OSP was designed to prevent,” he added.
The caucus vowed to resist any attempts to weaken the institution, stating that it would pursue all constitutional and parliamentary avenues to safeguard its mandate.
“This is not just about one institution; it is about protecting the integrity of Ghana’s democratic and accountability systems,” the Gushegu MP concluded.
By: Christian Kpesese
