BY Daniel Bampoe
A heated conversation on Joy FM’s Newsfile over the weekend has unearthed a new layer of controversy surrounding the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), raising urgent questions about judicial independence, government influence, and a mysterious WhatsApp platform said to be hosting some of the most powerful actors in the accountability ecosystem.
What began as a debate about the conduct of Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng has evolved into a broader national conversation: How close is the OSP to Ghana’s judiciary, and why are judges, state investigators, civil society leaders and journalists huddled together on a supposedly “government-created” chat platform?
The controversy could not have emerged at a worse time for the besieged Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng who is facing escalating calls for his removal, internal political betrayal, and fierce public criticism from his own predecessor, Martin Amidu.
A Secretive Platform Comes To Light
The issue exploded when private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu questioned the OSP’s independence, suggesting the office was vulnerable to external interference.
In response, Newsfile host Samson Lardy Anyenini challenged Kpebu’s inconsistent trust in information circulating about the OSP.
But the real bombshell came from Sammy Darko, Director of Research, Communications and Strategy at the OSP. Darko confirmed live on air that discussions about the OSP had previously taken place on a government-linked WhatsApp platform — a platform he said included: Representatives of state accountability agencies, a Supreme Court representative, a Civil society actors, influential journalists and OSP officials.
This revelation immediately triggered public outrage, especially among critics who viewed the platform as evidence of inappropriate proximity between the OSP and members of the judiciary.
Host Samson Anyenini Pushes Back — But Raises More Questions
Attempting to douse the flames, Newsfile host and legal practitioner Samson Lardy Anyenini denied the claim that the platform was a government tool.
“It’s not a government WhatsApp group,” he insisted. “It is a group of independent minds … OSP, CHRAJ, Auditor-General, CSOs, and even a Supreme Court representative.”
But his explanation raised deeper concerns:
Who authorised such a platform?
Why is a Supreme Court judge collaborating informally with executive-linked actors?
What exactly is being coordinated behind closed doors?
Even Samson Anyenini struggled to clarify who assigned them this watchdog role or how such a group fits within the constitutionally protected independence of state organs.
OSP’s Own Man Contradicts Him
After Anyenini’s denial, OSP spokesman Sammy Darko returned with a different version.
He disclosed that the group was indeed created as part of a government-led anti-corruption reform agenda.
“The government creates it because we are charting a new path on our corruption policy and ethics,” Sammy Darko said.
This statement directly contradicted Anyenini’s justification — and re-energized suspicions that the OSP may be too entangled with actors whose independence is constitutionally required.
Manasseh Azure Steps In — But Critics See Damage Control
Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, himself a member on the platform, attempted to clarify the origins of the WhatsApp group.
He explained that the group belonged to the NEACAP Working Group, a publicly inaugurated body tasked with developing the new National Ethics and Anti-Corruption Action Plan.
According to him, this group: includes OSP, CHRAJ, Police, UNODC, GIZ, civil society, and judiciary representatives, coordinates activities such as regional consultations and, has been widely covered in the media, adding that, is not a clandestine “government WhatsApp group”.
But critics were not convinced.
Social media commentators accused Manasseh Azure and Sammy Darko of “damage control,” arguing the group had long operated as an elite network shaping national narratives behind the scenes.
Media advocate Sulemana Braimah issued a bold challenge: “Provide the full list of members and administrators.”
Political figures waded in too. Manhyia North MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah questioned why a Supreme Court judge should be on a platform associated with the executive:
“Why the need? And to do what?”
OSP Under Fire: Kissi Agyebeng’s Leadership Crisis Deepens
The WhatsApp controversy is only the latest blow to the embattled Special Prosecutor.
Already facing multiple petitions seeking his removal, Agyebeng’s battles intensified after the dramatic arrest of lawyer Martin Kpebu, once one of his staunchest allies.
The arrest triggered: fury within the NDC, who rallied behind Kpebu, Mockery from NPP insiders, who warned Agyebeng had “touched the wrong person”.
A parliamentary showdown calling for the OSP’s abolition
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga stunned Parliament when he declared the OSP had outlived its usefulness and should be scrapped entirely.
Others defended the office as a noble idea being undermined by political interference — not by its current occupant.
OSP Fires Back: “We Touched the Untouchable”
The OSP responded in an aggressive Facebook post, accusing powerful interests of orchestrating attacks to derail its anti-corruption mission.
The OSP highlighted its 2025 achievements: preventing GHS 5.73 billion in national losses, recovering GHS 6.5 million and USD 2 million, seizing GHS 102 million in assets, completing 71 investigations, opening 40 new cases, securing 7 convictions and educating 9.4 million Ghanaians.
“The noise belongs to them; the results belong to the people of Ghana,” the statement declared.
Martin Amidu’s Most Explosive Attack Yet
Former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu issued a lengthy critique that may be the most devastating attack on Kissi Agyebeng to date.
He labelled Agyebeng:, Pathologically dishonest, Unfit to lead the OSP, lncompetent in extradition processes, manipulative in public communication and politically opportunistic.
Martin Amidu has filed a petition for Agyebeng’s removal — now reportedly before the Chief Justice.
A Prosecutor Fighting For Survival
Behind the conflicting narratives and political theatrics, one truth is emerging: the OSP is fighting not only corruption — but for its very survival. With a judiciary-linked WhatsApp platform under scrutiny, deep political divisions over his tenure, and blistering attacks from former allies, Kissi Agyebeng stands at the centre of a national crisis over integrity, independence, and transparency.
What began as a routine debate about accountability has now grown into a confrontation that reaches into Parliament, the judiciary, civil society, and the media.
However, and as the controversy over the WhatsApp platform burns on, so does the perception — fair or not — that the OSP may be too close for comfort with the very institutions meant to keep it in check.
