Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng has urged Ghanaians to focus on strengthening the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) rather than associating its effectiveness with his personal efforts.
He emphasized the need for institutional reforms to ensure the office’s long-term efficiency in fighting corruption.
Speaking at the UPSA Law School and One Ghana Movement Constitution Day Public Lecture, Agyebeng called for key legal reforms, including incorporating the OSP into the constitution, enacting a Corrupt Practices Act, and setting up specialized anti-corruption courts.
“First, we must write the Office of the Special Prosecutor into the constitution and board it up firmly. Do not dwell on me. I am just one person. My tenure will end, and I will leave the scene,” he stated.
He stressed that Ghana’s anti-corruption fight should not be tied to individuals but rather built on strong legal frameworks.
According to him, the current laws on corruption are unclear, making prosecution difficult.
“The present formulation under Section 79 of Act 959 is unhelpful and circuitous. It engenders confusion,”Agyebeng remarked, advocating for a more precise legal definition of corruption.
To enhance prosecution, he proposed the creation of anti-corruption courts with judges trained specifically for corruption cases.
Additionally, he called for lifestyle audits to scrutinize unexplained wealth among public and private individuals, along with greater transparency in political party financing.
Agyebeng also suggested introducing anti-corruption education at the basic and secondary school levels to instill integrity in future generations.
“We must channel our anti-corruption laws as a construct for national development,” he concluded.