Samuel Harrison Cudjoe, a programme officer at the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), has vehemently described the recent calls for the dissolution of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) as “misplaced and a politically motivated agenda”.
While acknowledging that the performance of the Special Prosecutor is open to legitimate criticism, Mr Cudjoe argued that scrapping the anti-graft office is an unnecessary step.
He insisted that if the OSP were to be dissolved for underperformance, other state institutions with similar issues would equally have to face dissolution.
Speaking during an interview on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he suggested that the opposition to the OSP is a direct result of the office’s aggressive pursuit of high-profile cases.
The programme officer stated that the OSP has become the target of propaganda efforts initiated by individuals affected by cases like the SML deal, the minister’s income and investment fund case, and the National Petroleum Authority fuel diversion case, noting that the individuals involved are powerful and “will certainly not be happy”.
He asserted that Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng’s strategy to go after the “bigger fishes” is meant to serve as a crucial deterrent, recognising that this is a difficult fight where those cited in cases have the resources to push propaganda to make the OSP appear needless.
Mr Cudjoe stated that the establishment of the OSP is not a mere political creation but a fulfilment of Ghana’s international treaty obligations.
He cited the 2003 ECOWAS Protocol on the fight against corruption, the 2007 African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (whose Article 5(3) mandates an independent agency), and the 2007 United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) (whose Article 36 obligated Ghana to set up an Independent Anti-corruption Agency).
He pointed out that Ghana is not alone, as countries like Nigeria and Sierra Leone have similar anti-corruption agencies.
He expressed his wonder that politicians, especially Members of Parliament (MPs), would engage in “propaganda” to call for the OSP’s dissolution, given that it is a body mandated by treaties they had previously signed.
He maintained that the OSP has made a significant impact since its establishment compared to all other existing anti-corruption agencies, noting that investigations from the first Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, to the current one have seen the office stop several corruption activities, drag over 30 people before the court, and prosecute for various offences.
The GACC Program Officer then criticised the focus on the OSP’s performance when the judicial system experiences lengthy delays, noting it takes between three to four years to secure an outcome from a criminal prosecution in Ghana.
He questioned why Parliament is not demanding the dissolution of the Judiciary due to these delays but has now turned its attention to the OSP, stressing that the OSP is not the entity that jails people.
Quoting the famous line, “If you fight against corruption, corruption will fight you back,” he explained that the propaganda against the Special Prosecutor is succeeding because it is riding on mistakes he may have made, is supported by people who lack understanding about the issue, and is pushed by those who would directly benefit if the OSP were dissolved and their cases subsequently thrown out.
He concluded by calling on Ghanaians to unite and protect the OSP, stating it remains “our last hope at fighting corruption.”
He warned that if the public does not allow the office to work, then no one should complain about corruption again, and any flaws should be corrected through proper avenues rather than demanding its dissolution or scrapping.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
