OSP Breaks Silence with First Convictions, but Ghanaians Still Await Justice for the Powerful

After years of criticism and over GH¢1 billion in budget allocations, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has finally secured its first convictions since its establishment in 2018. These seven convictions, all obtained through plea bargains, represent a significant shift in the agency’s record.

Among the cases, six were tied to payroll fraud discovered in the Northern Region. The seventh involved the trial of Charles Bissue, former secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining. While the case against Bissue remains ongoing, the second accused has been convicted and is reportedly cooperating with prosecutors.

The OSP’s performance has long been questioned, especially with the huge allocations it has received over the years, including GH¢146 million for 2025 alone. However, it remains unclear whether these funds were ever fully disbursed.

In 2025, the OSP has shown signs of increased activity, opening 70 new investigations within the first half of the year, a dramatic leap from previous years, where the office initiated only two cases in 2020 and 2021, 13 in 2022, 19 in 2023, and 27 in 2024. This brings the total number of cases since its inception to at least 133.

High-profile names now under investigation include former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, former GRA Commissioner Rev Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah over the controversial SML contract, and former NPA Chief Executive Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid. The Charles Bissue case is still unfolding.

Despite these moves, Ghana’s performance on the Corruption Perceptions Index remains stagnant. The country dropped to a score of 42 in 2024 after four consecutive years at 43, far below its peak score of 48 in 2014.

Although the OSP has recovered over GH¢4 million for the state, public trust remains fragile. For many citizens, a true test of the office’s mandate will be securing a conviction against a politically influential figure. While recent progress signals that the office can complete cases, the broader challenge lies in holding the powerful accountable.