Paul Kumi Calls For OSP, Attorney-General Unity in Anti-Corruption Fight
Takoradi, Ghana – Private legal practitioner Paul Kumi has called for stronger collaboration between the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Attorney-General (A-G), urging both institutions to prioritise the fight against corruption instead of engaging in disputes over prosecutorial authority.
Speaking on Kyzz FM's Morning Show on Thursday, July 30, 2026, Lawyer Kumi said the Supreme Court's recent ruling clearly defines the constitutional relationship between the two offices while preserving their respective roles in Ghana's criminal justice system. Supreme Court Clarifies OSP and Attorney-General Roles
According to Lawyer Kumi, the Supreme Court has affirmed that the Office of the Special Prosecutor has the legal authority to independently investigate and prosecute corruption-related criminal cases.
However, he explained that the ruling also confirms that the Attorney-General's constitutional powers remain unchanged, including the authority to discontinue criminal proceedings where necessary.
He noted that the judgment makes it clear that the Special Prosecutor does not require prior approval from the Attorney-General before initiating prosecutions. At the same time, he said, the Attorney-General's constitutional powers cannot be removed except through constitutional amendment.
Focus Should Be on Fighting Corruption
Lawyer Kumi questioned why the two state institutions should appear to be competing over prosecutorial authority when both were established to serve the same national interest.
According to him, the Attorney-General and the Office of the Special Prosecutor have complementary roles and should work together to ensure that justice is served rather than engage in institutional rivalry.
"Our collective focus should be on prosecuting corruption and protecting the public interest, not on disagreements over who has greater prosecutorial authority," he said.
Public Confidence Must Be Protected
While acknowledging the Attorney-General's constitutional power to discontinue criminal prosecutions, Lawyer Kumi cautioned that the frequent use of that authority in cases initiated by the Office of the Special Prosecutor could undermine public confidence.
He warned that such decisions could easily be interpreted by the public as political interference, particularly where high-profile corruption cases involve government officials or politically exposed persons.
According to him, perceptions that certain individuals are being shielded from prosecution could have significant political consequences for any government and weaken confidence in Ghana's anti-corruption institutions.
Corruption Remains a National Challenge
Lawyer Kumi described corruption as one of Ghana's greatest challenges, arguing that the alleged misappropriation of public resources has enabled some individuals to accumulate considerable wealth at the expense of national development.
He further observed that the perception of politics as a route to personal enrichment continues to attract many people into public office for the wrong reasons.
He stressed that political leadership should be viewed as an opportunity to serve the nation rather than a means of acquiring wealth.
Call for Institutional Cooperation
Concluding the discussion, Lawyer Kumi urged the Attorney-General and the Office of the Special Prosecutor to strengthen cooperation in the fight against corruption.
He said Ghanaians expect both institutions to work together to uphold the rule of law, protect the public interest and promote accountability.
According to him, effective collaboration between the two offices will do far more to strengthen Ghana's anti-corruption efforts than prolonged disagreements over constitutional authority.