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Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga states that he and Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, will reconsider their plan to present a private member’s bill to abolish the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) following President John Mahama’s request to halt the action.
During the parliamentary session on Friday, December 12, Mr. Ayariga affirmed that the private member’s bill designed to abolish the law creating the OSP had been endorsed by the Committee on Private Member’s Bills and was set to be submitted to the house.
He remarked that initial discussions in Parliament indicated a willingness from both sides to reconsider the presence of the OSP office
“Indeed, it is true that we raised the issue in this chamber. There were comments on both sides of the House, and there appeared to be some consensus about dealing with the office by way of reconsidering the existence of the office,” he said.
He stated that the Speaker later urged Members who were passionate about the OSP’s future to pursue the necessary legislative actions. He stated this motivated him, together with the Majority Chief Whip, to officially present the bill, which was authorized for laying.
Nonetheless, he disclosed that a public statement made by President Mahama on Thursday had led him to rethink.
“It is true also that yesterday there was a statement, not a letter by His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, requesting that I reconsider my decision,” Mr Ayariga said.
“So if His Excellency the President also has some thoughts about it, and I add mine to his, I believe together we can find a better way of managing the situation. I can assure you that I’ll take on board the request by His Excellency the President… and we will reconsider our decision.”
His comments follow the President’s public dissent against suggestions to shut down the OSP, labeling those proposals as hasty.
President Mahama emphasized that the office is vital since it serves as the sole anti-corruption body with independent prosecutorial power, in contrast to the Attorney General, who is often viewed as politically limited.
A declaration released on Thursday, December 11, by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the President’s Spokesperson and Minister for Government Communications, affirmed the President’s stance.
“President John Dramani Mahama has asked the Majority Leader and Majority Chief Whip in Parliament to retract the Private Member’s Bill submitted for the repeal of the Act that created the Office of the Special Prosecutor,” the statement indicated.
It mentioned that the President “reaffirms his request for the Office of the Special Prosecutor to enhance public trust in its efforts and directly confront corruption.”
Prior to submitting that formal request, Mahama had stated publicly that the OSP should be enhanced rather than eliminated, urging the office to expedite investigations and produce more noticeable outcomes.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
