The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), has come under renewed public scrutiny after official government budget data revealed that it spent almost
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), has come under renewed public scrutiny after official government budget data revealed that it spent almost GHC 143 million in 2024 but directly recovered only GHC 2.8 million in assets for the state.
Figures released by the Ministry of Finance show that Parliament approved a total of GHC 149,005,669.00 for the OSP in the 2024 financial year.
Out of this amount, GHC 142,671,014.70 was released and utilized by December 2024—representing 95.75% of the approved allocation. OSP’s budget for that year was more than some four ministries combined budget for the same period in 2024, with little results to show.
How the GHC 143m Was Spent
The approved budget covered three main expenditure areas:
Compensation of Employees – GHC68,940,621.00 was earmarked. The Ministry of Finance released GHC 62,693,112.57 (91% of the allocation).
Goods and Services – GHC 32,693,748.00 was approved and fully released.
Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) – GHC 47,371,300.00 was approved and fully released.
In total, nearly the entire allocation was spent on staff salaries, operational costs, and capital projects.
What the OSP Achieved in 2024
Despite the huge expenditure, the OSP’s reported recoveries stood at just GHC2.8 million, sparking questions about value for money and if the anti-graft body continued existence is justified.
However, in its annual performance report, the OSP highlighted some achievements beyond direct financial recoveries.
These include:
1. The Cecilia Dapaah Case – The OSP investigated the former Sanitation Minister, uncovering suspected money laundering and suspicious financial structuring. The case was later referred to the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) for further action. The former minister was later cleared by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
2. Payroll Audit – In May 2024, the OSP released a report on government payroll irregularities. According to the office, its intervention prevented losses of GHC 34.25 million to the state.
3. Other High-Profile Cases – The OSP concluded investigations into at least three major corruption-related cases in 2024, though details of some remain undisclosed.
Additionally, the OSP undertook public sensitization programmes, directly reaching 6,617 people and millions more through media campaigns.
Targets for 2025 and Beyond
The OSP has set higher targets for the next two years:
Increase finalized investigations from 40 in 2024 to 45 in 2025.
Publish 15 special reports in 2025, compared to 10 in 2024.
Increase prosecutions from 10 in 2024 to 15 in 2025, with a target of 20 by 2026.
Boost asset recoveries from GHC 2.8 million in 2024 to GHC 10 million in 2025.
Background of the OSP
The OSP was created in 2018 under Act 959 to investigate and prosecute corruption, especially among politically exposed persons.
The office has, however, struggled to make a major impact. Its first Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, resigned in 2020 citing political interference, particularly over the controversial Agyapa Royalties deal.
His successor, Kissi Agyebeng, took office in 2021 and has since emphasized prevention and systemic reforms alongside prosecutions at a big drain to public purse.
The OSP recorded its first conviction in May 2025 in a payroll fraud case in Tamale involving officials of the Ghana Education Service—seven years after its establishment. Critics said the case could have successfully been prosecuted by even police prosecutors.
Public Concerns Over Value for Money
Civil society organizations and sections of the public have criticized the OSP’s high spending compared to its modest recoveries.
With GHC 143 million spent and just GHC 2.8 million recovered in 2024, critics argue that the office risks becoming a costly bureaucracy rather than a results-driven anti-graft agency.
For now, the OSP insists its work must be judged not only on cash recoveries but also on preventing future losses and strengthening anti-corruption systems while cases of corruption are on the rise.
However, the gulf between expenditure and recoveries continues to fuel debate about whether the office is delivering on its core mandate.
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