The Upper East Regional Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Jonathan Abdallah Salifu, has dismissed allegations by the Minority in Parliament that the government is deliberately weakening anti-corruption institutions.
Speaking in an interview on A1 Radio, he questioned the basis of the Minority’s claims, arguing that much of the criticism appears to be centered solely on developments involving the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) rather than a broader range of institutions.
He clarified that the ongoing legal issues surrounding the OSP were not initiated by the government or the Attorney-General, but rather stem from a case brought by a private individual challenging the scope of the OSP’s prosecutorial authority. According to him, the legal challenge is based on perceived gaps within the law establishing the OSP, which he noted was enacted under a previous administration.
“It is not the Attorney General who went to court to ask for an interpretation of the works or the powers of the special prosecutor. It is a private individual who is handling a case on behalf of his client.”
He explained that the central issue in dispute is whether the OSP can independently initiate prosecutions or must do so with authorization from the Attorney-General, emphasizing that similar arrangements exist for other state institutions with prosecutorial functions.
While acknowledging concerns about limitations within the current legal framework, he maintained that such gaps should be addressed through legislative reforms rather than political accusations. He suggested that the appropriate course of action would be for stakeholders, including the Minority, to advocate for amendments to strengthen the law and clarify the OSP’s mandate.
“They should be calling on the Attorney General or the President to make sure that that lacuna is closed. After all, every law can be revised. They should rather be calling on the Attorney General to see what he can do, go back to Parliament, hopefully, and get that lacuna dealt with. But if they go ahead to accuse the government, assume it is the government that took the case to court, or the Attorney General took the case to court, seeking to seal off the powers of the special prosecutor, that is not true,” he said.
He also accused the Minority of misrepresenting the situation for political purposes, arguing that their criticisms overlook the legal origins of the issue and the role of the courts in interpreting the law.
He urged patience as the matter continues to be addressed through the judicial process, noting that the OSP has returned to court to seek further interpretation of its powers. He expressed confidence that the legal system will provide clarity on the matter. “The Special Prosecutor is back in court, asking for further interpretation to that act, or that portion of the act. Let’s wait and see how or what the outcome will be.”
His comments come amid ongoing political debate over the powers and independence of the OSP, following a High Court ruling that has intensified discussions about the effectiveness of Ghana’s anti-corruption framework.
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