Political activist and anti-corruption campaigner Oliver Barker-Vormawor has described the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the constitutionality of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) Act as a significant victory for Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts, saying the judgment reinforces the agency’s independence.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Barker-Vormawor said the ruling marked an important moment for those advocating stronger institutions to combat corruption.
“I think that July 29 was a big day for anti-corruption fighters in this country,” he said.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday, July 29, unanimously upheld the constitutionality of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), dismissing a legal challenge against the law that established the anti-graft agency.
The seven-member panel ruled that Parliament acted within its constitutional mandate in creating the OSP, while clarifying that the Attorney-General remains the principal authority responsible for state prosecutions.
Reacting to the decision, Barker-Vormawor praised the Supreme Court’s handling of the case.
“I think that the court covered itself in glory in terms of how it dealt with this matter,” he stated.
According to him, the judgment sends a strong signal that the Office of the Special Prosecutor remains a key institution in Ghana’s anti-corruption framework.
“I think that this decision reaffirms the OSP,” he said.
Barker-Vormawor further argued that although the Attorney-General retains supervisory authority over public prosecutions, the ruling makes it politically difficult for any future government to undermine the independence or operational effectiveness of the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
“Even if the Attorney-General decides to revoke the authorisation under the Legislative Instrument, I think it will be politically inexpedient to do it generally,” he said.
He added that the judgment should strengthen public confidence in the anti-corruption agency and reinforce its role in investigating and prosecuting corruption-related offences.
“I think that it really reinforces the office,” Barker-Vormawor concluded.
