The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) in collaboration with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has held a dialogue in Tamale to deepen stakeholders’ understanding of the OSP’s mandate and build consensus on reforms to strengthen the fight against corruption.
The dialogue was organised with support from the Participation, Accountability and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) programme, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation, co-financed by the European Union and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, and implemented by GIZ in partnership with the Ministry of Finance.
It formed part of a broader initiative to strengthen accountability institutions and promote citizen engagement in anti-corruption efforts across the country.
The event brought together civil society organisations, policymakers, development partners, professional bodies, media practitioners, traditional authorities as well as youth and women groups to foster collaboration and develop actionable recommendations to enhance the effectiveness, independence, and operational impact of the OSP.
Participants also reviewed and validated findings of an eight-year assessment report on the OSP conducted by consultants of CDD-Ghana to ensure it reflected diverse stakeholder perspectives and informed evidence-based policy reforms.
Madam Linda Ofori Kwafo, a consultant on the survey, presented findings on citizens’ perceptions of the OSP.
She said the online survey captured responses from 412 participants, and out of that 53.9 per cent of respondents were male while 46.1% were female adding in terms of age distribution, 42% were between 18 and 35 years, 52.2-% between 36 and 60 years, and 5.8% above 60 years.
On public trust in institutions to independently fight corruption, Madam Kwafo noted that the OSP ranked highest with 55.2% of respondents expressing confidence in the institution.
This was followed by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) with 36.7%, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) with 35% and the Attorney-General’s Department with 19%.
Meanwhile, 15.1% of respondents indicated that they trusted none of the institutions.
Madam Kwafo also outlined key recommendations from the survey including calls to anchor the OSP firmly in the Constitution, strengthen its independent prosecutorial powers, ensure financial autonomy, and introduce unexplained wealth orders.
Other recommendations included the establishment of an Independent Anti-Corruption and Ethics Commission as well as enhanced capacity building for the OSP.
Madam Kwafo noted that although the OSP experienced challenges in its early years, it had stabilised since 2023 and was beginning to demonstrate significant results.
She emphasised that the institution’s impact should not be measured solely by figures, explaining that its investigations and prosecutions involving high-level officials were helping to disrupt entrenched corruption networks.
Mr Bright Sowu, an official of the OSP, highlighted the Office’s achievements indicating that 33 persons were currently standing trial while financial losses amounting to GH¢7.18 billion had been averted.
He added that the OSP had recovered GH¢35.14 million, secured seven convictions, and suspended seven transactions as part of its anti-corruption efforts.
Mr Sowu said the OSP had intensified its preventive outreach, engaged more than 13,000 people through in-person activities while reaching millions virtually.
Mr Hamdan Amadu Wumpeka, Coordinator of Activista Ghana commended the initiative stating that such dialogues were critical in building trust between the youth and public institutions.
GNA
