Dr. Tony Aidoo, a former key official at the Presidency in charge of Policy Monitoring and Evaluation, has raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). His comments reflect growing public doubt over the institution’s ability to fulfill its mandate of fighting corruption.
In an interview granted to Joy News, Dr. Aidoo stated that he no longer has confidence in the OSP, citing what he views as a lack of clarity, weak execution, and poor results from the office. He noted that the Special Prosecutor appears to misunderstand the very functions of the institution he leads.
Dr. Aidoo contrasted the OSP’s performance with that of the Attorney General, who, in his view, has shown more transparency in pursuing cases involving alleged corruption. However, he pointed out that while announcements are often made, actual prosecutions remain rare, especially from the Special Prosecutor’s end.
Referencing the handling of high-profile investigations such as the Cecilia Dapaah case, Dr. Aidoo argued that the Special Prosecutor has yet to secure a single major corruption-related conviction. He questioned the quality of evidence presented in court by the OSP, suggesting that poor case-building could be responsible for the lack of successful prosecutions.
He further criticized the office’s public communication strategy, describing it as inconsistent and damaging to the institution’s image. In his view, these flaws have eroded public trust in the OSP, which was originally established to bolster accountability and deter corruption within the public sector.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor has recently come under increased scrutiny from civil society and political observers over the slow pace of its investigations and the absence of clear outcomes in several high-profile cases. Despite these concerns, the OSP maintains that it continues to act within the boundaries of the law, emphasizing the need for thorough investigations to support credible prosecutions.
Dr. Aidoo’s remarks add to the ongoing national conversation about the effectiveness of Ghana’s anti-corruption frameworks and whether institutions like the OSP are delivering on their promise of justice and transparency.
