Friday, 05 December

Majority Leader pushes for abolition of Office of the Special Prosecutor

Politics
Mahama Ayariga

Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has urged Parliament to scrap the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), arguing that the Attorney-General’s Office should be strengthened as the sole authority to investigate and prosecute corruption cases in Ghana.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, December 4, Mr. Ayariga questioned why the Attorney-General continues to receive inadequate resources while the OSP is allocated larger funding despite what he described as disappointing results.

“Look at the budget, why have we not been resourcing the Attorney-General?

After resourcing the OSP more than the Attorney-General, the OSP is still not delivering,” he said.

He further indicated his willingness to pursue legislative action to dissolve the OSP.

“I’m of a strong conviction that the OSP should be abolished, whether through a private member’s bill as advised by former Speaker Prof. Mike Oquaye, or a call on the executive to expedite a bill that we will consider and approve,” he said.

Mr. Ayariga stressed that eliminating the OSP would not serve as a shield for persons involved in corruption.

“Let me sound a warning that abolition of the OSP will not leave individuals engaged in corruption off the hook.

I will ensure that the process is expedited,” he added.

 

The OSP has been the subject of heightened public debate in recent days following the detention of private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu after a confrontation with security personnel at the office’s headquarters.

Source: Classfmonline.com/Cecil Mensah