The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has released its 2025 mid-year budget review, revealing a mixed bag of successes and challenges. According to the report, the OSP has resolved 10 cases, secured 7 convictions, and recovered GHS 306,000 in assets. However, these achievements have raised questions about the cost-efficiency of the OSP’s operations, given its substantial budget of GHS 146.75 million.
Prof. Isaac Boadi, Dean of the Faculty of Accounting and Finance at UPSA and Executive Director of the Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy (IERPP), has expressed serious concerns about the OSP’s financial performance and it importances.
However, ghanatalk.com disagrees with this perspective, arguing that the OSP’s mandate goes beyond financial returns. “I don’t think Ghanaians care so much about how much is retrieved but have we punished the criminals sufficient enough to deter future criminals from committing same crimes hoping they will get away with it?” the website asks. “It is about criminal justice and not breakeven or profitability.”
This debate highlights the complexities of evaluating the effectiveness of anti-corruption agencies like the OSP. While financial metrics are important, they should not be the only yardstick for measuring success. The OSP’s mandate is not just about recovering assets but also about upholding the rule of law and promoting accountability.
As ghanatalk.com notes, “The whole justice system does not breakeven or make any return if you use pure financial evaluation.” The OSP’s work is crucial in promoting transparency and accountability in governance, and its efforts should be evaluated in this context.
While the OSP’s financial performance may raise questions, its mandate goes beyond financial returns. The OSP must continue its work, even if it means operating at a loss, because it is essential for promoting criminal justice and accountability in Ghana. As ghanatalk.com puts it, “OSP must continue because we are in this for the long haul.”