Former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has accused both the Akufo-Addo and Mahama administrations of protecting the current Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, despite what he calls “gross misconduct” and “dishonesty” in the fight against corruption.
In a hard-hitting article titled “The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, Is Pathologically Dishonest and Unfit for the OSP”, Martin Amidu alleged that Ghana’s anti-corruption drive under the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has been compromised by political interference from both the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government and the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration.
“The Akufo-Addo Government protected Kissi Agyebeng and the John Mahama Government continues to protect him,” he charged.
“President Mahama may be vindicating the saying that one good turn deserves another.”
According to him, Mr. Agyebeng has been “shielded” because of his political convenience to both regimes – first appointed under Akufo-Addo, but later “retained and defended” under Mahama for his perceived usefulness.
Martin Amidu alleged that President Akufo-Addo turned a blind eye to constitutional breaches at the OSP, including illegal staff appointments and procedural violations.
“The Presidency knew this as a fact. Nonetheless, the Akufo-Addo Government protected Kissi Agyebeng,” he wrote, accusing the former President of ignoring breaches of Article 195 and Section 22 of Act 959 which require written authorization for appointments.
He claimed Mr. Agyebeng was allowed to “abscond” from the country after publishing what he described as a “needless and inconclusive Airbus SE report,” only to return after the 2024 elections when John Mahama won power.
“He returned to Ghana only after the 7 December 2024 elections to present the Half-Yearly Report that was uploaded on 12 January 2025 when Ken Ofori-Atta had long been abroad,” Amidu alleged, claiming that the report served as “insurance” for Agyebeng’s continued stay in office under the new government.
Martin Amidu said the current administration has continued to “shield” the Special Prosecutor despite mounting calls for his removal, especially over the handling of the SML investigation involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
“Supporters of the Mahama government within the NDC now admit that no professional SML investigation docket exists at the OSP capable of forming the basis of a valid extradition request to the United States,” he claimed.
He further suggested that President Mahama’s reluctance to act on the growing criticisms of the OSP may be politically motivated.
“The John Mahama government continues to protect him. But President Mahama may be vindicating the saying that one good turn deserves another,” Amidu wrote.
The former Special Prosecutor, who resigned from the OSP in 2020 over alleged political interference, also attacked Mr. Agyebeng’s credibility, describing him as “pathologically dishonest” and “unfit to lead the fight against corruption.”
“He lacks the high moral character and proven integrity demanded of the occupant of that office,” Amidu stated.
“Whatever grievances anybody may have against him, the objective position is that Kissi Agyebeng is dishonest to high heavens to be the Special Prosecutor of Ghana.”
Martin Amidu accused Mr. Agyebeng of “doctoring facts” during his recent interview on The KSM Show, claiming the OSP’s official reports contradict his public statements about lack of cooperation from security agencies under the previous government.
Mr. Amidu urged President Mahama to prove his commitment to fighting corruption by ordering an independent forensic audit into the operations of the OSP.
“If the President really wishes to put the accusations against the Special Prosecutor to rest, he should order an independent forensic audit into the OSP to determine compliance with the Constitution and measure results against public expenditure,” Amidu advised.
“Kissi Agyebeng will then decide for himself whether he belongs in the OSP or in jail.”
He noted that Ghana’s anti-corruption institutions have become tools of political convenience for successive governments, warning that “weaponizing law enforcement” for partisan ends would only undermine democracy.
“The use to which the OSP has been put by both the NPP and NDC governments demonstrates lack of genuine leadership to fight corruption even-handedly,” he lamented.
