Former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, has launched a scathing critique of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), questioning its relevance, performance, and legal posture in the ongoing matter involving former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.

Mr Agyepong accused the OSP of running a “media trial” rather than pursuing due process through the courts. “So what is wrong with this OSP? Is he conducting a public and media trial of Ken Ofori-Atta? As of now, no charges have been brought against Ken, so he’s not an accused person yet—even if the OSP sees him as a person of interest,” he said.

He further questioned the delay in prosecution, suggesting that if the OSP had credible evidence, it should have already laid charges. “If the OSP has what he’s claiming he has, why hasn’t he charged Ken with all the assembled facts and evidence and started prosecution in a proper court of law? After all, people have been tried in absentia several times in the past. Does he need the physical presence of Ken before he does his job?”

Mr Agyepong also challenged the legality of the OSP’s attempt to label Mr Ofori-Atta as a “fugitive from justice,” stating that only a competent court has the power to make such a declaration.

“That cannot be the mandate of a prosecutor who should be busying himself trying to prove his case before a judge. When he claimed his life was under threat, didn’t he find it necessary to operate outside the country at our expense? If he could work outside the country, then he could equally reach Ken. This is clearly a PR stunt to justify himself in an office that should never have been set up in the first place—a worthless drain on our overstretched public purse.”

He also defended Mr Ofori-Atta’s legal right to remain silent, warning against any undue pressure that could infringe on his rights.

“I think Ken’s legal team should call his bluff. Why should Ken provide him with evidence that can incriminate him in a possible trial? The OSP is not a judge and should be stopped from exceeding its mandate.”

Despite his strong disapproval of the OSP’s modus operandi, Mr Agyepong affirmed his support for lawful accountability in governance.

“As a patriot of our beloved motherland Ghana, I want all who have misconducted themselves whilst in government to face the full consequences of their actions—but in a lawful way, not the high-handed Rambo-style invasions being systematically carried out in the name of ongoing investigations.”

He cautioned that such actions risk political backlash, especially for the NPP, if perceived as partisan or excessive. “We the people will not condone any moves calculated to further damage our party’s brand on the altar of political expediency. Period.”

Mr Agyepong’s remarks have reignited debate over the role and effectiveness of the OSP, and whether its existence justifies the cost to the taxpayer.

About the OSP

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) was established in 2018 by former President Akufo-Addo to serve as an independent anti-corruption agency with a mandate to investigate, prosecute, and prevent corruption in both public and private sectors.

Backed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), the OSP was designed to operate free from executive influence, addressing gaps in existing anti-corruption structures.

While its creation marked a major anti-graft reform, the OSP has since faced challenges that have sparked debate about its effectiveness and relevance.