Dafeamakpor Defends Withdrawn Bill to Repeal OSP Act, Says Aim Was to Strengthen Anti-Corruption Fight
The Majority Chief Whip in Parliament, Rockson Dafeamakpor, has defended his involvement in a controversial private member’s bill that sought to repeal the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) Act, stating that the initiative was intended to enhance, not undermine, Ghana’s anti-corruption framework.
The bill, which was jointly sponsored by Mr Dafeamakpor and Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, was withdrawn after widespread public criticism and a directive from President John Dramani Mahama. The sponsors said they complied promptly with the President’s instruction.
The proposal triggered strong reactions from civil society organisations and political figures, including the General Secretary of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey. Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on December 17, Mr Kwetey criticised the Majority leadership, arguing that their influential parliamentary roles do not grant them unilateral authority on sensitive national policy matters.
“They are not an island. They’re operating as part of the party. So major decisions have to be made in consultation with the party,” Mr Kwetey said, although he acknowledged the Majority leadership’s overall performance in Parliament.
Responding to the criticism, Mr Dafeamakpor conceded that wider consultation should have preceded the introduction of the bill. However, he insisted that the move was motivated by a genuine desire to improve the effectiveness of Ghana’s anti-corruption institutions.
“In hindsight, I agree that we could have consulted better, but our actions were directed at strengthening anti-corruption institutions or the fight against corruption,” he said.
Mr Dafeamakpor further argued that Ghana’s fight against corruption must go beyond symbolism and the mere existence of laws. He suggested that the effectiveness of institutions should be measured by tangible outcomes rather than their statutory presence alone.
“I believe the fight against corruption should not exist on paper but should be practicalised, and the OSP appears to be existing on paper, while other offices like EOCO and the Attorney-General are actively fighting,” he stated.
The withdrawal of the bill has since eased tensions within the political space, though debate continues over the most effective approach to strengthening Ghana’s anti-corruption architecture
