Gomoa Central Member of Parliament, Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A Plus, has strongly defended the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), cautioning against growing calls to abolish the institution amid public debate over the performance of Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng.
Speaking in an interview on The KSM Show, the MP argued that dissatisfaction with the actions or pace of work of a public officer cannot justify dismantling an entire institution established to fight corruption.
“If we don’t like the Special Prosecutor, we have to remove him with due process. But you cannot say that because we are not seeing action, we must abolish the whole Office of the Special Prosecutor,” he said.
To illustrate his point, A Plus drew an analogy with law enforcement, insisting that institutional failure should be addressed through reform, not abolition.
“So okay, there is armed robbery in Ghana, so let’s abolish the Ghana Police Service because they have not been able to stop armed robbery. Yes, arrest all the armed robbers. How does that work?”
OSP as a deterrent to corruption
The Gomoa Central MP stressed that the mere existence of the OSP serves as a deterrent to corruption, even if prosecutions are not always visible to the public.
“Just having that office alone may deter people from engaging in some corrupt activities.”
He maintained that the focus should be on strengthening the office rather than scrapping it.
“There are so many things that you need to strengthen the Office of the Special Prosecutor.”
A Plus linked this position directly to the anti-corruption stance articulated by President John Dramani Mahama during the election campaign.
“This is what John Mahama said throughout the campaign that we need to strengthen this office because he wants to fight corruption.”
Questions over alternatives to the OSP
The MP questioned arguments suggesting that the Attorney General’s Department could adequately replace the functions of the OSP, pointing to persistent challenges within the justice system.
“But if you come and say let’s abolish it entirely, has the Attorney General’s office been able to prosecute everybody? There are cases where you go to court and they say Attorney General is not coming.”
Condemnation of Martin Kpebu’s campaign
A Plus also criticised senior lawyer Martin Kpebu over his sustained public campaign against the Special Prosecutor, which culminated in his arrest after he was invited by the OSP for interrogation.
While acknowledging respect for the lawyer, the MP was clear in his disapproval.
“I like Martin Kpebu, but Martin must also not be an educated Chairman Wontumi under John Mahama. However, I think that some of the things that he did was wrong.”
Caution to the government
The independent MP used the opportunity to issue a broader warning to the government, urging restraint and strategic thinking as it navigates governance after a long period in opposition.
“The government must be very careful. Eight years in opposition was not easy and they must be very careful.”
A Plus’ comments come at a time of heightened national debate over the relevance, independence and future of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, with his intervention adding a strong parliamentary voice in defence of institutional reform rather than abolition.
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