Twelve civil society organisations have indicated their intention to seek permission from the Supreme Court to join a case involving the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) as amici curiae.
The coalition plans to submit a “friend of the court” brief in the matter involving Noah Adamtey, which is currently before the apex court, in support of maintaining the OSP’s constitutional mandate.
According to the group, the decision is driven by rising concern among civic actors about what they view as efforts that could weaken Ghana’s anti-corruption architecture.
Speaking to the media, representatives of the organisations argued that removing or reducing the prosecutorial powers of the OSP would significantly weaken the fight against corruption and accountability in public service.
They stressed that the OSP was created as an independent body with the authority to investigate and prosecute corruption-related offences, especially those involving individuals in positions of political influence.
The coalition cautioned that any limitation of these powers could compromise the institution’s effectiveness and diminish public trust in national anti-corruption efforts.
They also emphasized that the Supreme Court case carries broader implications for governance, transparency, and the rule of law, warning that restricting the OSP’s mandate could undo years of institutional reforms.
In a related view, the Director of Policy Advocacy and Engagement at CDD-Ghana, Kojo Asante, argued that efforts should be directed toward strengthening the OSP rather than reducing its powers.
He noted that concerns about legality should be addressed through the constitutional review process, questioning the urgency behind attempts to challenge the institution’s mandate. He added that there is no constitutional issue with the OSP’s current structure and suggested that any desired reforms should be handled through formal constitutional amendments to elevate it into a fully entrenched constitutional body.
The coalition comprises the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), IMANI Africa, Transparency International Ghana, the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), the Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP), and NORSAAC.