Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has offered a critical perspective on the performance of Ghana’s first two Special Prosecutors, acknowledging the obstacles they faced while attempting to strengthen the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
Awuni noted that while Martin Amidu and Kissi Agyebeng faced significant challenges, both could have enhanced public confidence by being more assertive and impactful in their roles. He believes their approach could have provided Ghanaians with stronger hope that the OSP was a genuinely formidable institution in the fight against corruption.
“From my experience uncovering some of the country’s most significant corruption scandals, I feel the initial Special Prosecutors could have inspired greater faith in the OSP,” Awuni said.
Despite his critique, Awuni emphasized that the establishment of the OSP remains a monumental achievement, recognizing it as a defining legacy of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts.
The first Special Prosecutor, Martin A.B.K. Amidu, was appointed in January 2018 by the Akufo-Addo administration and resigned in November 2020. He was succeeded by Kissi Agyebeng in August 2021.
Awuni’s reflections underscore the complex balance between institutional limitations and leadership impact, highlighting that while the OSP’s creation was historic, its early leaders might have bolstered its influence with more proactive strategies.
