The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has dismissed suggestions made by the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, Prof Ransford Gyampo, that its ongoing investigation into former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is motivated by personal vendetta.
In a statement issued via social media on June 22, the OSP described Prof Gyampo’s remarks as misleading and potentially damaging to the credibility of the Office. It clarified that its investigation is rooted in “stated allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences,” with a specific focus on the multi-year contract involving Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) and possible abuse of office for personal gain.
The OSP revealed that Prof Gyampo contacted the Office regarding SML at a time when officials from the OSP and National Security were lawfully conducting a search at the company’s premises. While avoiding direct accusations, the Office questioned the timing of that communication.
It also stressed that while the Office is open to public scrutiny and constructive feedback, interference in active investigations, whether direct or subtle, could have grave consequences. “Such actions,” the OSP warned, “have the potential to undermine the fight against corruption.”
Prof Gyampo had earlier raised concerns on TV3’s Keypoints programme, urging the OSP to act with transparency and fairness. “I hope the OSP is not motivated by vendetta,” he said, reflecting public concerns over the intent and conduct of the investigation.
Sources also indicate that Ken Ofori-Atta’s legal team had offered to participate in the investigation remotely via video call due to health challenges. However, the OSP declined, noting that Mr Ofori-Atta had not been formally charged and was therefore expected to appear in person for questioning.
Additional proposals that the OSP travel abroad to interview the former minister were rejected over concerns about cost to the state.
Prof Gyampo further called for clarity on the former minister’s health status. “It is important to find out if Mr Ofori-Atta is not sick. Because being sick is not an easy matter,” he noted.
He also questioned the long-term impact of the OSP’s previous high-profile investigations. “And the OSP, they have in the past started so dramatically but, in the end, we saw nothing. Look at the Cecilia Dapaah case,” he remarked, citing a widely followed corruption probe that has yet to produce outcomes.
