By Issah Olegor
A fresh wave of controversy has hit the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) as a group calling itself the Coalition for Integrity in Governance-Ghana (COFIIG) has officially petitioned President John Dramani Mahama, demanding the immediate dismissal of the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng.
The petition, dated October 20, 2025, accuses Agyebeng of gross incompetence, financial mismanagement, and administrative misconduct, reigniting national debate about the relevance and effectiveness of the flagship anti-corruption office.
The petition, which was formally lodged at the Jubilee House through the Office of the Chief of Staff, was signed by the Executive Chairman of COFIIG, Simon Yaw Awadzi, a native of Aborlove-Nolopi in the Keta Municipality.
In it, the group contends that since assuming office in August 2021, the Special Prosecutor has failed to submit audited financial statements of the OSP, despite what the group describes as “substantial and consistent budgetary allocations” from the national purse.
COFIIG is calling for a forensic audit of the OSP’s finances to ensure transparency and accountability. The group insists that the failure to account for public funds undermines the very integrity of an institution meant to lead the fight against corruption.
“Competence in public administration is demonstrated through measurable impact, transparency, and effective execution. In this regard, the Special Prosecutor has shown administrative weakness and ineffectiveness,” portions of the petition read.
Beyond financial impropriety, COFIIG’s petition raises questions about the OSP’s operational record.
The group argues that after four years in office, the OSP has produced no significant convictions or asset recoveries, despite having one of the strongest legal mandates and budgetary supports among the anti-corruption agencies.
The petition accuses Agyebeng of mismanagement and low productivity, claiming that his leadership has yielded “more press briefings than results.”
The petition also alleges instances of insubordination and interference in inter-agency cooperation, claiming that the Special Prosecutor has deliberately withheld investigative dockets from the Attorney-General’s Department—actions that have reportedly delayed key extradition processes and undermined the government’s coordinated anti-corruption efforts.
This latest petition follows growing public dissatisfaction with the OSP’s performance, especially after revelations that the office spent nearly GH¢143 million in 2024 but recovered only GH¢2.8 million in assets for the state.
According to the Ministry of Finance’s official budget data, Parliament had approved GH¢149 million for the OSP for the 2024 fiscal year, with GH¢142.7 million released and utilized by December 2024—representing 95.75 percent of the allocation.
The expenditure breakdown showed GH¢62.6 million went to staff compensation, GH¢32.7 million to goods and services, and GH¢47.3 million to capital expenditure, with critics questioning whether such spending could be justified by the office’s limited outcomes.
While the OSP defended its record by pointing to preventive achievements such as the Cecilia Dapaah investigation, payroll audits, and public education campaigns, many observers, including civil society organizations, argue that its financial footprint far outweighs its tangible results.
Established in 2018 under Act 959, the Office of the Special Prosecutor was intended to serve as an independent body to investigate and prosecute corruption, particularly involving politically exposed persons.
However, its journey has been fraught with challenges. The first Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, resigned in 2020, citing political interference under the Akufo-Addo administration—particularly regarding the controversial Agyapa Royalties deal.
Kissi Agyebeng, who succeeded him in 2021, promised a results-driven, preventive approach to corruption.
But four years on, the office has managed only one conviction—secured in May 2025 in a payroll fraud case in Tamale involving two Ghana Education Service officials—fueling skepticism about whether the office has justified its hefty funding.
With President Mahama now facing renewed pressure from COFIIG and sections of the public especially NDC activists to act, the future of the Special Prosecutor hangs in the balance.
The coalition insists that removing Agyebeng would “restore public confidence in the anti-corruption institutions,” while supporters of the Special Prosecutor argue that the OSP needs time and institutional independence to fulfill its mandate.
As the Presidency considers the petition, the controversy once again brings to the fore the question that has haunted the anti-corruption architecture for years—whether the fight against graft is about genuine reform or political expediency.
