Stakeholders at a regional dialogue on Ghana’s anti-corruption framework have called for the removal of plea bargaining from the prosecutorial tools available to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), arguing that it weakens efforts to deter corruption.
Participants said the practice, which allows suspects to negotiate settlements often involving the return of misappropriated funds, risks encouraging public officials to engage in corrupt activities with the expectation of avoiding jail terms.
They stressed that Ghana’s anti-corruption drive would be more effective if punitive sanctions, particularly custodial sentences, were prioritised alongside efforts to recover stolen assets.
The dialogue, organised by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development in collaboration with the OSP, formed part of broader efforts to strengthen accountability institutions and promote citizen participation in governance reforms.
It brought together a cross-section of stakeholders, including civil society organisations, policymakers, development partners, professional groups, media practitioners, traditional leaders, and representatives of youth and women’s organisations.
Participants called for a review of the law establishing the OSP to remove provisions that allow plea bargaining, insisting that such arrangements dilute the deterrent effect required to combat corruption effectively.
While acknowledging the importance of asset recovery, they maintained that it should not replace punitive action, stressing that individuals found guilty must face the full rigours of the law to discourage others.
The engagement was held under the Participation, Accountability and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) initiative, implemented by GIZ with support from the European Union, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Dr Zechariah Langnel, a lecturer at the University of Ghana, noted that although public confidence in the OSP remains relatively strong, concerns persist regarding aspects of its legal and operational framework.
He explained that recent studies show the OSP is institutionally better positioned than many state bodies to tackle corruption but requires further reforms to enhance its independence and overall effectiveness.
According to him, challenges related to funding, staffing, and prosecutorial authority continue to affect the Office’s performance, underscoring the need for stronger constitutional backing.
Dr Langnel, however, acknowledged progress made by the OSP in recent years, particularly since 2023, citing improved resourcing and increased recovery of misappropriated public funds.
Despite these gains, stakeholders emphasised that without stronger legal reforms and stricter enforcement measures, including the removal of plea bargaining, Ghana’s fight against corruption may struggle to achieve meaningful and lasting impact.
