The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has recently made a revelation regarding Professor Ransford Gyampo, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority. According to the OSP, Prof Gyampo contacted the Office via phone and text messages during an ongoing search of the premises of Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).
This disclosure was in response to remarks made by Prof Gyampo, suggesting that the OSP’s investigation into former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta may be driven by personal vendetta rather than objective legal grounds.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the OSP firmly denied this claim, emphasizing that their actions are based on clear allegations of corruption and corruption-related offenses. These allegations include the alleged abuse of office for personal gain in relation to the awarding of a multi-year contract to SML.
The OSP further revealed that Prof Gyampo attempted to reach the Office while officers were lawfully executing a search warrant at SML’s premises. The Office stressed the importance of public officials refraining from interfering with ongoing investigations, as it could undermine the fight against corruption and erode public confidence in accountability mechanisms.
Prof Gyampo had called for fairness and neutrality in the OSP’s investigation into Ken Ofori-Atta during a panel discussion on TV3’s Key Points. He expressed concerns about the manner in which the investigation was being conducted and raised questions about the OSP’s track record in handling high-profile corruption cases.
Despite suggestions for alternative approaches to obtain information from the former minister, such as virtual interrogation or dispatching investigators abroad, the OSP maintained that standard investigative procedures must be followed. They also declined a video conferencing session requested by Mr Ofori-Atta’s legal team due to his health condition.
In response, Prof Gyampo emphasized the need for clarity regarding Ofori-Atta’s medical condition and questioned the OSP’s past performance in high-profile corruption cases. He highlighted instances where investigations failed to yield substantive outcomes, citing the Cecilia Dapaah case as an example.
The OSP’s statement serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability in the fight against corruption. It underscores the need for transparency and fairness in all investigations, regardless of the individuals involved.
