Government spokesperson and Member of Parliament for Abura Asebu-Kwamankese, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has firmly rejected claims that the National Democratic Congress government is secretly working to weaken or abolish the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
Speaking on PM Express, Mr Kwakye Ofosu insisted that President John Dramani Mahama remains fully committed to the anti-corruption institution and had previously intervened to stop attempts to dismantle it.
“Absolutely not,” he said when asked whether government was pursuing a coordinated plan against the OSP.
According to him, the clearest evidence of President Mahama’s support came when a proposal was introduced in Parliament seeking to abolish the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
He explained that despite the then Majority Caucus commanding significant numbers in Parliament, President Mahama personally intervened and encouraged party leadership to allow the institution to continue operating.
“The president prevailed on the majority leader and the majority chief whip to give the special prosecutor a chance,” he stated.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu argued that ongoing legal disputes involving the OSP have been wrongly portrayed as politically motivated attacks by government.
He cited a recent court case in which an accused person challenged the authority of the Special Prosecutor to prosecute without the approval of the Attorney General, noting that the court ruled in favour of the constitutional argument presented.
According to him, judicial interpretations of the law should be respected rather than politicised.
“So, if the judiciary sees that the special prosecutor is acting in violation of the constitution, that should be respected,” he noted.
The government spokesperson also addressed another case before the Supreme Court concerning the legal powers of the OSP, explaining that the Attorney General was constitutionally obligated to present the legal position of the state.
“The attorney general is bound to take the position of the law,” he stressed.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu maintained that constitutional scrutiny of the OSP’s powers should not be interpreted as hostility toward the anti-corruption office.
“It does not mean that government has anything against the special prosecutor,” he stated.
He further revealed that President Mahama has consistently defended the Office of the Special Prosecutor publicly, even amid criticism from sections of his own political party.
According to him, the OSP continues to enjoy the President’s “full and absolute backing” to carry out its mandate.
However, he emphasised that the institution must operate strictly within constitutional limits, adding that any legal inconsistencies identified by the courts could later be addressed through constitutional amendments or reforms.
“We cannot say that if it is believed by the Supreme Court that the special prosecutor’s office is existing unlawfully or acting unlawfully, then we should still allow it to operate. That would fly in the face of the rule of law,” he added.
