The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has issued a sharp response to what it describes as “reckless commentary” by Professor Ransford Gyampo, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, over the OSP’s ongoing investigations involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
Prof. Gyampo, speaking on TV3’s KeyPoints programme on Saturday, June 21, questioned the motives behind the OSP’s pursuit of Mr. Ofori-Atta, suggesting it might be driven by personal vendetta or a desire to gain favour with the current administration. “I hope the OSP is not motivated by vendetta,” he said, casting doubt on the objectivity of the corruption probe.
In a strongly worded statement released shortly after the broadcast, the OSP condemned Prof. Gyampo’s remarks, describing them as inappropriate for a public official and potentially damaging to the integrity of ongoing investigations.
“The Office takes a serious view of any attempt to influence, mischaracterize, or delegitimize its lawful work through speculative commentary—particularly by public officials who should know better,” the statement read.
The OSP warned that such statements risk undermining public trust in independent anti-corruption efforts and may amount to interference in justice delivery. It reminded all public officials to refrain from acts or utterances that could impede investigations or politicize its mandate.
The Special Prosecutor, Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, has in recent weeks intensified efforts to bring Mr. Ofori-Atta to account in relation to the controversial Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) contract and other high-profile financial dealings. Mr. Ofori-Atta has been declared a suspect and a wanted fugitive in the case.
As scrutiny around the investigation deepens, the OSP insists its actions are guided by law and evidence—not politics or personal motives.
Meanwhile, calls are growing for greater restraint from public officials in their commentary on ongoing investigations to preserve the independence and credibility of anti-corruption institutions.
