Three major anti-corruption and regulatory institutions have raised alarm over inadequate funding that is hampering their operations, as Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee wraps up a working visit.
At the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng expressed deep concerns about persistent budgetary constraints.
He told the committee, led by Chairman Mahama Shaibu, that the office lacks essential resources including secure facilities, specialized vehicles, and competitive salaries to attract and retain skilled staff.
Mr. Agyebeng also raised a constitutional issue, calling for a review of Chapter 24 and suggesting the introduction of a presumption of corruption clause to strengthen legal accountability for public office holders.
The committee then moved to the Copyright Office, where Principal State Attorney William Akwetey Bonsu stressed the urgent need to modernize the office’s registration system.
He also called for amendments to the Fees and Charges Act and a significant increase in its operational budget.
Deputy Ranking Member Sulemana Tampuli encouraged the office to embrace innovation and digital tools in the meantime.
The final stop was the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), where Acting Executive Director Raymond Archer outlined a range of challenges crippling the agency.
He cited inadequate funding, poor asset confiscation and management systems, and the absence of structured conditions of service for staff. These, he warned, were undermining EOCO’s capacity to take on complex financial crimes.
In response, Chairman Mahama Shaibu assured all three institutions that the committee would engage the relevant sector minister to address their challenges.
