OSP Intensifies Aksa Probe Amid Strained Institutional Ties and Rising Calls for Political Finance Reform

Ghana's anti-corruption landscape has reached a critical juncture as the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) advances its investigation into the Aksa power deal bribery scandal, naming former Power Minister Dr. Kwabena Donkor as a person of interest. The probe follows the U.S. conviction of former banker Asante Kwaku Berko on August 6, 2026, for his role in the scheme. Former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has urged investigators to broaden their scope to include $3 million in transfers documented between 2016 and 2017. Amidst these high-profile developments, President John Mahama has signaled strategic shifts through recent government reshuffles, while security officials raise alarms regarding organized political vigilantism as the country prepares for the 2028 general elections.

Simultaneously, a public rift has emerged between the OSP and the Office of the Attorney-General. Samuel Appiah Darko, the OSP’s Director of Strategy, Research and Communications, recently stated that the Attorney-General’s office has repeatedly declined requests for collaboration on sensitive cases. This institutional friction has prompted calls from Members of Parliament, including Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah and Bernard Baidoo, to depersonalize the OSP and prioritize its legal mandate. While the OSP maintains that its behind-the-scenes work has already reduced corruption in areas such as the Customs Division's vehicle auctions, critics and political figures like the NPP’s Akosua Manu argue that the administration must do more to repair Ghana's international reputation following a series of corruption scandals.

In the financial sector, a fierce debate continues over alleged losses at the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod). While NPP leadership has claimed the country suffered a $1.7 billion loss under the program, GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi has refuted these allegations, pointing to operational surpluses in financial statements. The controversy has prompted chartered accountant Stephen Donkor to petition the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG) for an independent technical review to settle the facts. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) regional chairmen have declared their unwavering support for Gyamfi, framing the attacks as a political distraction from the success of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

Legal proceedings against former officials also continue to progress through the courts. The Accra High Court recently denied a request for a lengthy adjournment in the trial of Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, the former CEO of NAFCO, who faces charges related to financial misconduct. Similarly, the extortion case involving Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid has been adjourned to allow legal teams to respond to OSP affidavits. These cases highlight a broader push for accountability that Dr. John Osae-Kwapong of CDD-Ghana warns must not be allowed to revert to a system of "post-regime accountability," where officials are only held responsible after a change in government.

To address the root causes of corruption, the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), with support from the British High Commission, has introduced a Draft Model Political Finance Bill. The proposed legislation seeks to curb the rising costs of political competition, which now exceed $100 million for contested elections, by introducing expenditure limits and donation regulations. As the Constitution Review process enters a new phase with an 11-member committee, these reforms are seen as vital steps toward ensuring that Ghana’s democratic institutions remain resilient and accessible to all citizens, rather than being dominated by the highest spenders.