MPs descend heavily on OSP for swallowing huge resources for 8 years with no convictions

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) faces heavy criticism from MPs. They question its effectiveness nearly eight years after its establishment.

During budget discussions on March 28, MP Isaac Boamah Nyarko raised concerns. He noted that despite receiving large sums, the OSP has shown little progress.

Nyarko pointed out that the OSP has fewer than 250 staff members. Yet, its compensation costs reach 1.8 million cedis. He questioned why this is justified when other ministries face budget cuts.

He compared the OSP’s budget to others, like Legal Aid. While Legal Aid received 5 million cedis, the OSP got 32 million cedis for goods and services and 47 million cedis for capital expenditure in previous years.

“Given all these resources, what has the OSP delivered?” he asked. Nyarko emphasized that the Special Prosecutor should keep 30% of recoveries made by the office.

“If no recoveries are made in a year, that’s a failure,” he said. He urged careful review of the OSP's allocation of over 140 million cedis to ensure value for money.

Nearly eight years since its creation, the OSP has not secured a single conviction. Documents show it currently has only three criminal cases in progress.

“When you look at these cases, it’s clear that focus has shifted,” Nyarko stated.

MP Baffuor Agyei Awuah also criticized the OSP for lacking convictions and straying from its core mandate. He argued it is pursuing responsibilities meant for the Auditor General.

“It’s been eight years with no convictions,” Awuah said. “The agency currently has only three criminal cases.”

He stressed that the OSP was created to protect public funds as part of budget reviews. The Auditor General monitors government spending but receives little attention in OSP documents.

“It seems like the OSP has strayed from its primary mandate,” he added.

Awuah highlighted public accounts hearings revealing government inefficiencies attract significant attention.

“When Ghanaians watch these hearings and see fallout, they lose faith,” he said. “But it seems the OSP focuses on issues outside its mandate.”

He concluded by calling for a thorough review of the OSP’s performance and budget allocation to ensure it delivers value for money.