The majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has questioned the performance of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
He argues that the state is not getting value for money despite the significant budgetary support the office receives.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, the South Dayi MP said the OSP receives “¢250 million on average, every year,” yet continues to provide updates suggesting limited prosecutorial output.
“The Office of Special Prosecutor (OSP) gets ¢250 million on average, every year and every day he will report that I’m investigating 15 cases, I’m looking at 20 other cases and prosecuting about seven,” he said.
Dafeamekpor said the figures do not match the expectations of Parliament and the Ghanaian public, especially considering the resources approved for the office.
“I think that we are not getting value for money,” he stated.
He was, however, careful to separate his criticism of the office’s current performance from the broader anti-corruption agenda.
He said the problem is not with the idea of the OSP itself, but with the performance of the person occupying the role.
“It’s not as if we don’t value the essence of fighting corruption and corruption-related matters,” he said, adding that he was “central instrumental to passing that legislation.”
“So it’s about the office holder. If the office holder can do more…” he added.
Mr Dafeamekpor said Parliament has repeatedly supported the OSP’s requests, including plans to expand its reach and operational strength.
He recalled that the Special Prosecutor presented a report indicating an intention to decentralise the office.
“He brought a report and said he wants to open regional offices. We supported him,” he said. “He wanted to recruit about 250, or more special staffers, so that he can operate in the regions. We supported him,” he added.
“But all those things haven’t happened,” he said.
The Majority Chief Whip also raised concerns about the procurement of bulletproof vehicles for the OSP and its senior officials, saying such support was not meant to enable comfort without results.
“You ask for bulletproof vehicles. We agree that, because of the specialised nature of your work, we approve that you can use bulletproof cars for your operations,” he said.
“So a lot of your senior staffers, including yourself, you drive around in bulletproof cars,” he continued. “We didn’t give you bulletproof cars not to deliver,” he said.
“We expect that you will deliver, but to sit in a bulletproof car and be prosecuting seven, eight cases is a no-no.”
The comments come amid ongoing public debate about the effectiveness of Ghana’s anti-corruption institutions and whether they are delivering outcomes commensurate with the resources committed to them.
The OSP was created as a specialised institution to investigate and prosecute corruption-related offences involving public officials and politically exposed persons.
But Mr Dafeamekpor’s remarks suggest there is growing impatience within Parliament over what he considers slow progress.
When asked directly whether he still holds the view that the country is not getting value for money from the OSP, the MP answered without hesitation.
Still, he said Parliament is not yet prepared to take drastic steps, insisting there is room for improvement and that some signs are beginning to show.
“But we believe in the wisdom of the old man who says, let’s give them a bit of time and see if they can improve,” he said.
He referred to the OSP’s mid-year report, which he said he had reviewed.
“And they released their mid-year report. I think a couple of days ago, I’ve seen some improvement,” he said.
Mr Dafeamekpor said one major shift he noticed was a clearer presentation of outcomes, rather than broad claims.
“This time, they are able to indicate the actual things,” he said.
He pointed specifically to the OSP’s reporting on asset recovery.
“So when they tell you that we are saving money, actually, what’s the meaning of savings?” he asked.
He said the latest report now provides more detail.
Despite his criticisms, Mr Dafeamekpor said Parliament will hold off for now, hoping the office improves its performance.
“So I believe they can and will do more, so for now we are staying our hands,” he added.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com
