Dr Kojo Asante is the Director of Policy, Advocacy and Engagement at CDD-Ghana
Director of Policy, Advocacy and Engagement at CDD-Ghana, Dr Kojo Asante, has cautioned that entrenched resistance from Ghana’s political elite to the idea of an independent prosecutor is weakening the country’s anti-corruption efforts.
In a citinewroom report on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Dr Asante argued that the persistent pushback against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) since its inception reflects a broader political intent to maintain influence over who gets prosecuted.
According to him, although the OSP was created to function autonomously, it has been met with coordinated attacks, harassment and attempts to cripple its operations.
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These tactics, he suggested, are not accidental but rather a calculated effort by political actors uncomfortable with an institution empowered to act without fear or favour.
“It is obvious to me that the political class does not want the idea of an independent prosecutor,”he said.
Dr Asante maintained that despite these pressures, the OSP has proven its effectiveness, consistently carrying out its mandate and helping to curb corruption and reduce impunity in public office.
He warned that any move to weaken or dismantle the office would be a major setback for good governance and democratic accountability.
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“The OSP has performed and has withstood every challenge. Since its establishment, it has faced constant harassment, barrage, and continuous efforts to undermine it.
“It is clear to me that the political class does not want the idea of an independent prosecutor, because people want to control the prosecution process who should be prosecuted and who should not. And if we are going to tackle corruption and restrain the kind of impunity that is endangering our democracy, we need an office like the OSP,” he added.
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Meanwhile, as the BBC moves the home of its Focus on Africa Podcast to Nairobi, GhanaWeb’s Etsey Atisu connected with the host for an exclusive interview on The Lowdown. Watch it here:
