Majority Chief Whip Rockson Dafeamakpor has justified his role in a now-withdrawn private member’s bill seeking to repeal the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) Act, stating that the move was aimed at strengthening Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts. The bill, co-sponsored with Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, was withdrawn following widespread public criticism and a directive from President John Dramani Mahama, which the sponsors said they complied with.
The proposal triggered strong reactions from civil society organisations and within the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC). Party General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey criticised the Majority leadership for failing to adequately consult the party on such a sensitive matter, noting that parliamentary authority does not override collective party decision-making.
In response, Mr Dafeamakpor conceded that broader consultation should have preceded the introduction of the bill. However, he insisted that the initiative was not intended to undermine the anti-corruption fight but to improve the effectiveness of Ghana’s institutions. He argued that anti-corruption efforts should focus on practical results rather than the mere existence of laws, adding that institutions such as EOCO and the Attorney-General’s office appear more active than the OSP.