Amanda Clinton urges Special Prosecutor to resist subordination to Attorney-General

Legal practitioner Amanda Clinton has written an open letter to Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, advising the Office of the Special Prosecutor OSP to oppose any efforts to place it under the Attorney-General's authority. Clinton argues that centralizing prosecutorial power under the executive would severely harm Ghana's anti-corruption framework. Her letter, dated April 13, 2026, and copied to Deputy Special Prosecutor Cynthia Jane N. K. Lamptey, comes amidst ongoing Supreme Court proceedings challenging the OSP's independence, a debate rooted in Article 88 of the 1992 Constitution, which designates the Attorney-General as the primary authority on prosecutorial matters. Clinton, Head of Chambers at Clinton Consultancy, acknowledged the constitutional question's legitimacy but warned that subordinating the OSP would have devastating practical consequences, stating, "If independence is stripped, effectiveness is compromised." She cited an ongoing EOCO investigation into a politically exposed Council of State member, who has issued ultimatums to EOCO, initiated legal action, and attempted to intimidate legal practitioners, as an example of what happens when enforcement institutions lack full independence and support. Clinton outlined five reasons for the OSP to maintain its independence: protection against conflict of interest, preservation of public confidence, operational efficiency, institutional balance, and international credibility. She cautioned that weakening the OSP c