OSP Accountability Drive Saves Billions Amid Institutional and Legal Tensions

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has intensified its anti-corruption efforts, revealing that its investigation into contractual dealings between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) saved the Republic over GH¢5.7 billion. According to the OSP’s 2025 Half-Yearly Report, these contracts were awarded through misconduct and false claims, leading President John Dramani Mahama to order the immediate termination of all public procurement contracts with SML. The findings implicated several high-ranking officials, including former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, citing significant statutory breaches and a lack of genuine necessity for the services rendered. Parallel to the SML probe, the OSP has turned its attention to the health and maritime sectors, directing the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to submit a comprehensive Integrity Plan by March 31, 2026. This follows a corruption risk assessment into a ports disinfection deal with LCB Worldwide Ghana Limited, which allegedly cost the state approximately GH¢345 million. The investigation revealed that LCB improperly retained disinfection fees and failed to remit GH¢25 million in VAT. Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng has since suspended payments to the firm pending a forensic audit and tasked the Ghana Revenue Authority with enforcing tax recovery to prevent further systemic leakage in port revenue management. The OSP’s enforcement actions have also extended to high-value asset seizures, notably in a criminal case against former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) CEO Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid and nine others. The accused are alleged to have extorted over GH¢291 million from petroleum sector players between 2022 and 2024. Seized assets include fuel stations, luxury residential properties, and high-end vehicles valued at GH¢18.6 million. However, the OSP faces legal hurdles; an Accra High Court recently dismissed its application to confirm the freeze on properties belonging to businessman Nana Yaw Duodu, known as Dr. Sledge, highlighting the ongoing tension between the prosecutor's office and the judiciary regarding asset management and legal due process. Beyond financial investigations, Ghana’s political and institutional landscape is navigating significant shifts in academic and electoral governance. The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), University of Cape Coast branch, has demanded the resignation of the leadership of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), citing regulatory overreach and threats to university autonomy. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has brought closure to the Kpandai parliamentary dispute, ruling 4-1 in favor of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Mathew Nyidam. The apex court’s decision overturned a High Court annulment, sparking widespread celebrations in Kpandai and reaffirming the ruling party’s confidence in the judicial process as the nation continues to balance accountability with institutional stability.