Seasoned journalist and broadcaster Paul Adom-Otchere has brought to light a significant imbalance in the workforce composition of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The host of Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana during a recent episode accused the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, of hiring a majority of individuals who lack legal background or legal education at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
He highlighted that, out of a total of 300 staff members, only 10 are legal professionals.
“I will tell you something about OSP, but before then let’s look at the way his office is porganised. Here’s this guy who has employed 300 persons in his office 300 persons at a matter of public record. Only 10 of them are lawyers. He employs 300 in his office on the task payers money, only 10 are lawyers, office of special prosecutor what work are they doing?,” he questioned.
This revelation he said, raises questions about the agency’s operational capacity and its ability to effectively fulfill its mandate.
Mr Adom-Otchere pointed out that the OSP’s primary duty is prosecution, and the employment of a large number of individuals is impacting taxpayers’ pockets.
Drawing a comparison, he noted that in the Attorney General’s Division, where prosecution occurs, 99 of the staff members are lawyers, emphasizing that prosecuting is inherently legal work rather than the work of marketing professionals.
“When you go to the Attorney General’s Division where they are prosecuting, 99 of them are lawyers because it is a lawyer’s work and not marketing people’s work”.
“Now check 80 of the people he has employed are media and research is he a TV station he has employed 80 people as media and research sitting at the office of the special prosecutor is he a TV station?,” he added.
Additionally he mentioned that among the 300 personnel, 80 have been hired for media and research roles, questioning whether the special prosecutor’s office is operating like a TV station.
He expressed suspicion about the motives of the large workforce at the OSP, suggesting that a thorough investigation is warranted.
“Even we here Metro TV, GBC they have plenty people other big TV stations like TV3 do they have 80 media research staff 80 at officewhat’s he doing there what are they doing there and who and who does he work with those people he works with those clad faces the people he works with evil people,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Special Prosecutor has expressed frustration with the judicial system, particularly in light of a recent judgment concerning the Labianca case.
During a press conference held on Wednesday, Mr. Agyebeng lamented the perceived hindrance imposed by the judiciary on the successful prosecution of cases under his purview.
In a state of apparent dilemma, the Special Prosecutor openly questioned whether he should consider relinquishing his fight against corruption and corruption-related offenses.
Reflecting on the challenges faced, he voiced his concerns, stating,“As I said, I wasn’t sounding like a prophet of doom but there is doom looming ahead of us, that very soon a murderer will boldly walk to go to seek an injunction. Should I feel frustrated and resign? I took an oath and in my life when I take on the reins to do something, I do it to the best of my ability”.