Andrew Appiah Danquah calls for consolidation of Ghana’s anti-corruption laws

A private legal practitioner and spokesperson for the Movement for Change, Andrew Appiah Danquah, has called for the consolidation of Ghana’s anti-corruption laws to improve enforcement and accountability.

Speaking on TV3 on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, Danquah argued that the fragmented nature of the country’s anti-corruption framework weakens efforts to combat corruption effectively.

He also questioned the independence of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), suggesting it operates as an extension of the Attorney General’s office rather than an autonomous body.

“The way the OSP was created, by an Act of Parliament without a constitutional amendment, means the Attorney General still holds ultimate prosecutorial authority. This limits the OSP’s ability to act independently,” he said.

Danquah also raised concerns over delays in prosecuting corruption cases, asking why alleged offences from years ago were only now being pursued. “If the OSP is truly independent, why has it taken this long to act? And why do we still see hesitation in holding key figures accountable?” he questioned.

To address these challenges, he proposed a constitutional amendment to grant the OSP full independence and called for consolidating all anti-corruption laws under a single legal framework.

“We have multiple institutions—the OSP, CHRAJ, EOCO, the Auditor-General’s office, and the Ghana Police Service—all handling different aspects of corruption. Yet, corruption remains pervasive. We need a radical restructuring of our anti-corruption framework,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Mion, Mohammed Aziz, has called for a more robust legal approach in handling allegations of financial misconduct against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

Speaking on the same programme, he urged the Attorney General’s office to take the lead in prosecuting financial irregularities linked to Ofori-Atta’s tenure.

Aziz criticised the OSP’s handling of the case, questioning its initial designation of Ofori-Atta as a fugitive and the inconsistencies surrounding his medical reports.

He said such uncertainties sent the wrong signals about accountability and the rule of law.