'Our intervention not partisan' - Coalition of CSOs reacts to SC battle over OSP Act

Fourteen Civil Society Organisations have requested permission from the Supreme Court to join a case challenging the constitutionality of Ghana’s anti-corruption law, the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).

As reported by myjoyonline.com, this coalition submitted its application on May 5, 2026, in the case of Adamtey v Attorney-General (Suit No. J1/3/2026), which aims to examine key provisions related to the establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

In a joint statement issued on May 6, 2026, the organisations emphasised that their involvement is intended to support constitutional interpretation and is not motivated by partisan or personal interests.

“The Applicants wish to clarify that their intervention is not partisan, adversarial, or personal to any party before the Court,” the statement read.

“It is solely driven by a shared commitment to constitutionalism, accountable governance, anti-corruption, institutional integrity, and the preservation of independent public institutions that serve the Republic,” it added.

The coalition includes prominent organizations such as the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development, Transparency International Ghana, Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, IMANI Africa, Democracy Hub, STAR-Ghana Foundation, NORSAAC, Penplusbytes, ACEP, Odekro, A Rocha Ghana, Parliamentary Network Africa, One Ghana Movement, and Africa Education Watch.

The group noted that several members played a direct role in the drafting and advocacy processes that led to the passage of Act 959 in 2017, including discussions with Parliament’s Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee.

They believe this background provides them with valuable insights that could aid the Court in interpreting the law.

The civil society organizations are seeking to be admitted as amici curiae friends of the court, permitting them to offer legal and policy perspectives without becoming direct parties to the case.

They also praised the Supreme Court for its increasing openness to civil society participation in constitutional matters.

“The Court’s willingness to engage civil society in constitutional adjudication has enriched the deliberative record in recent years,” the statement noted.

It added that this demonstrates “a maturing of constitutional practice in Ghana.”

If granted permission, the coalition stated it would assist the Court with comparative anti-corruption standards, institutional analysis, and broader public interest arguments relevant to the case.

The applicants are represented by Kizito Beyuo Esq, Oliver Barker-Vormawor Esq, Samson Lardy Anyenini Esq, and Clement Kojo Akapame Esq.

NAD/VPO

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