Office of the Special Prosecutor — anti-corruption agency with constitutional prosecutorial authority, though subject to Attorney-General oversight and termination powers.
… Mr Opoku suggested that corruption-related reports and referrals could be better handled if channelled through the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), noting that the institution has shown readiness to pursue such cases. …
A senior Ghanaian legal academic has argued that the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s failure to obtain prior authorisation from the Attorney General, as required by law, created the procedural vulnerability that a United States immigration court ultimately exploited in grantin …
… And that’s why we are where we are.” The IMANI Vice President also revisited his earlier criticism of the handling of the case, insisting that the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) sought an Interpol Red Notice before formally charging the former Finance Minister. …
Ken Ofori-Atta The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has responded to suggestions that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta should be tried in absentia, indicating that such a move can only proceed after an accused person has been formally charged, duly notified, and refus …
… Ofori-Atta applied to the United States authorities for a change of his immigration status, and according to Justice Kusi-Minkah-Premo, “The (US) Court heard evidence relating to actions taken by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) including the OSP’s earlier decision …
… While Ofori-Atta’s defense team frames the ruling as a victory based on the court finding Ghana’s 78 corruption charges “not credible,” the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) maintains that the immigration decision does not bind or halt separate extradition protocols. …
… While commending the work of institutions such as CHRAJ, the Office of the Special Prosecutor, EOCO and the Auditor-General, CACG maintained that investigations alone are not enough to restore public confidence. …
… It also takes place against the backdrop of ongoing extradition proceedings involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who has been declared wanted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor over investigations into several high-profile transactions and is currently reported …
… Mr Ayivi underscored the importance of collaboration among accountability institutions, including the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the Financial Intelligence Centre, and urged authorities to expedite the passage of the Legislative Instrument (LI) to support implementation …
Greater Accra Regional Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Anthony Nukpenu, has called on the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Attorney General (AG) to explain to Ghanaians what transpired in efforts to extradite former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-At …
Lawyer Martin Kpebu has welcomed the Supreme Court's ruling that the Attorney-General retains authority to discontinue prosecutions initiated by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, describing it as a constitutional safeguard that will check the anti-corruption agency's power. Kpebu explained that the ruling confirms the OSP exercises prosecutorial powers on behalf of the Attorney-General, who alone holds constitutional authority to prosecute criminal cases.
Lawyer Martin Kpebu has welcomed the Supreme Court's ruling that the Attorney-General retains authority to discontinue prosecutions initiated by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, describing it as a constitutional safeguard that will check the anti-corruption agency's power. Kpebu explained that the ruling confirms the OSP exercises prosecutorial powers on behalf of the Attorney-General, who alone holds constitutional authority to prosecute criminal cases.
Ghana's Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act is constitutional and valid, confirming the OSP's prosecutorial authority. However, the court also held that the Attorney-General retains constitutional power to discontinue prosecutions initiated by the OSP.
A Supreme Court case (Kenneth Kwabena Agyei Kuranchie v The Attorney-General) seeks to interpret Article 66(2) of the 1992 Constitution on whether a president defeated after one term can serve two consecutive terms upon subsequent election—a provision that would effectively allow President Mahama, sworn in again on 7 January 2025, to seek a third term. The plaintiff has denied the action is aimed at securing a third term for Mahama, though the case's substance would open that possibility.
A private legal practitioner has clarified that the Supreme Court's unanimous dismissal of a constitutional challenge to the Office of the Special Prosecutor's prosecutorial powers does not invalidate any of the anti-graft body's past actions or court proceedings. The ruling affirms that the Attorney General retains exclusive authority to prosecute criminal offences, while the OSP may exercise prosecutorial powers with necessary authorisation.
The Supreme Court unanimously dismissed a constitutional challenge to the Office of the Special Prosecutor's powers, preserving the Attorney General's constitutional authority over prosecutions. Barker-Vormawor says the ruling underscores the need for constitutional reforms to grant the OSP fuller independence, though it should not be seen as a setback for anti-corruption efforts.
Davis Ansah Opoku, MP for Mpraeso, has welcomed the Supreme Court's affirmation of the constitutional roles of the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the Attorney-General, describing it as strengthening Ghana's governance architecture. He stressed that the OSP has a critical anti-corruption role while the Attorney-General must exercise constitutional powers responsibly, and called for public scrutiny of the AG's power of nolle prosequi as an indicator of government commitment to fighting corruption.
Ghana's Supreme Court has ruled that the Office of the Special Prosecutor can independently investigate and prosecute corruption offences, but the Attorney-General retains constitutional power to discontinue such prosecutions through nolle prosequi. The seven-member panel rejected a challenge to the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act 2017, which grants the agency prosecutorial authority without prior Attorney-General approval.
The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017, as consistent with the 1992 Constitution, while ruling that the Attorney-General retains constitutional power to discontinue OSP prosecutions.
Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai defended the High Court's ruling that the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, as ordinary legislation, cannot alter constitutional powers vested in the Attorney-General under Article 88 of the 1992 Constitution. He stated that only formal constitutional amendment procedures can change constitutional provisions, not ordinary parliamentary acts.
Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai has stated that the Office of the Special Prosecutor was established through ordinary legislation under Article 106 of the 1992 Constitution, not a constitutional amendment, and that the OSP Act cannot alter the constitutional powers of the Attorney-General or create an independent prosecutorial authority outside the Constitution's framework.
Professor Kwadwo Appiagyei Atua argues that responsibility for difficulties in securing the return of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta should extend beyond the Office of the Special Prosecutor to include the Attorney-General's Office and Ghana's security agencies. He also contends that Ofori-Atta did not leave Ghana unlawfully, as he had received permission to travel for medical reasons.
Samuel Atta Akyea, lead counsel for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, has urged authorities to allow former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana voluntarily rather than pursuing extradition, arguing that complex extradition proceedings should not be used to compel his return.
The High Court convicted NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) over illegal mining activities linked to Akonta Mining and sentenced him to 20 years' imprisonment. The government says the verdict demonstrates no one is above the law, while the opposition argues it is politically tainted and has vowed to appeal.
The High Court convicted NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) of illegal mining and sentenced him to 20 years' imprisonment, with government calling it evidence that no one is above the law and opposition calling it politically tainted. A United States immigration court found that the Office of the Special Prosecutor failed to provide sufficiently credible evidence in proceedings involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, though the OSP rejected suggestions that its case has collapsed.
An Auditor-General Performance Audit Report found that approximately 87 million litres of petrol were distributed without undergoing mandatory petroleum marking, resulting in an estimated GH¢78.6 million loss to the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund and raising concerns about possible tax revenue losses. The report highlights serious weaknesses in Ghana's petroleum quality assurance regime, with implications for consumer safety, revenue mobilisation, and regulatory oversight.
A United States Immigration Judge in Virginia granted former Ghana Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta's application for adjustment of status, finding insufficient evidentiary foundation in the Department of Homeland Security's opposition, which cited criminal charges filed in Ghana concerning the Strategic Mobilisation Limited contract. The ruling highlights differing standards between US immigration adjudication and Ghanaian criminal prosecution.
A US immigration judge granted former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta permanent residency, finding insufficient evidence from Ghana's Office of the Special Prosecutor to support opposition to his application. According to immigration lawyer Jonelle Ocloo, the ruling concerns only his immigration status and does not prevent Ghana from pursuing extradition, though American courts would require compelling evidence.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor has stated that former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta remains subject to criminal proceedings in Ghana and is still wanted under a valid High Court arrest warrant, rejecting interpretations of a US immigration court transcript suggesting he has not been credibly charged. The OSP noted it is not involved in his US immigration proceedings but only in extradition matters being handled through Ghana's Attorney-General, and that the credibility of charges against him is for Ghanaian courts to determine.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor has maintained that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta remains a fugitive from justice in Ghana, stating that a recent US immigration court ruling approving his permanent residency application has no bearing on pending criminal charges against him in Ghanaian courts.
A US Immigration Judge ruled that Ghana's Office of the Special Prosecutor failed to provide credible evidence linking former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to criminal wrongdoing, describing the OSP's affidavit as containing "conclusory allegations" without sufficient facts to establish criminal conduct.
A certified transcript from a June 15, 2026 hearing at Annandale Immigration Court shows that Immigration Judge David Gardey granted former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta's application for adjustment of status after examining allegations brought by Ghana's Office of the Special Prosecutor and assessing evidence from both sides.
A US immigration judge has rejected claims of criminal wrongdoing against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, citing Interpol's cancellation of a red notice against him and stating the allegations lack sufficient evidence. The judge noted Interpol's review described the matter as "predominantly political" and questioned why the US had not pursued extradition.
A United States immigration judge ruled on June 15, 2026, that Ghana's Office of the Special Prosecutor failed to provide persuasive evidence that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta committed criminal wrongdoing, citing lack of convincing proof in the OSP's affidavit and finding the former minister's testimony credible.
President Mahama declared that members of his administration will face the same anti-corruption measures as officials from previous governments if credible evidence of wrongdoing is established, saying investigations and prosecutions will be driven by evidence rather than political considerations.
President John Dramani Mahama has declared that members of his administration will face the same anti-corruption measures as officials from previous governments if credible evidence of wrongdoing is established, and that investigations and prosecutions will be driven by evidence rather than political considerations.
President Mahama has stated that his administration's investigations and prosecutions are motivated by the rule of law rather than political vendetta, and that he derives no satisfaction from prosecuting individuals who have committed no offence. He stressed that Ghana's prosecutorial, investigative and judicial systems provide adequate safeguards to ensure justice is served and that no individual should fear persecution on political grounds if they have acted within the law.
President Mahama has stated that his administration's investigations and prosecutions are intended to uphold the rule of law rather than target political opponents, and that he derives no satisfaction from prosecuting individuals who have committed no offence. He stressed that Ghana's prosecutorial, investigative and judicial institutions provide safeguards to ensure justice is served.