Private Legal Practitioner, Martin Kpebu has defended the Operational Recover All Loots (ORAL) committee as a “masterstroke” designed to provide much-needed support to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
While acknowledging initial hesitations about joining the committee, Kpebu highlighted his growing appreciation for its potential.
“The Office of the Special Prosecutor is struggling due to an Act that is not fit for purpose,” Kpebu stated.
He argued that the committee could bring visibility to complaints and prevent interference by higher powers, which, according to him, have often emasculated the OSP’s independence.
Kpebu speaking on the Key Points with Alfred Ocansey on December 21, 2024, accused political appointees of using their influence to stifle investigations and said reforms to the Special Prosecutor Act are essential.
“The Act does not empower the Special Prosecutor to act independently of political interference. This committee is a step towards bridging that gap,” he explained.
The Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Mary Addah, however, was unconvinced, insisting that the approach lacked institutional backing and risked setting up the committee for failure.
“We need to remove obstacles that hinder the work of the OSP and other anti-corruption bodies. Simply collecting complaints without a clear mandate for action is ineffective,” she said.
The debate underscores broader public frustrations with Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts, which many perceive as inadequate. Addah and Kpebu, despite their differences, agreed on the urgent need for institutional reforms to address corruption comprehensively.
Both speakers called on the President-elect to prioritize systemic changes over populist measures, ensuring that anti-corruption bodies have the independence and resources to function effectively.
This discussion highlights the critical crossroads at which Ghana’s anti-corruption fight stands, with experts and activists calling for meaningful action rather than symbolic gestures.
The public will be watching closely to see how the incoming administration navigates these challenges.
