In a shocking turn of events, two prominent parliamentary leaders are facing fierce backlash for their controversial attempt to dismantle a key anti-corruption institution. But here's where it gets even more intriguing: their actions directly contradict the President's own commitment to strengthening the very same body. The Minority Caucus in Parliament has boldly demanded the immediate resignation of Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, labeling their effort to scrap the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) as not only 'failed' but also 'embarrassing.'
In a sharply worded statement signed by First Deputy Minority Whip Habib Iddrisu on December 12, 2025, the Minority accused the duo of acting in stark opposition to President John Dramani Mahama’s publicly stated goal of bolstering the OSP. The statement described their move as unauthorized, ill-conceived, and a severe breach of trust. And this is the part most people miss: just days before the President hailed the OSP as 'a vital cog in the fight against corruption,' Ayariga and Dafeamekpor had laid the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Repeal) Bill, 2025, proposing its dissolution and the transfer of its duties to the Attorney-General’s Department.
The timing couldn’t have been more awkward. On December 10, 2025, President Mahama publicly commended the OSP, urging it to intensify efforts to combat corruption and build public trust. The very next day, the Presidency announced the bill’s withdrawal at the President’s directive, a move the Minority described as a 'stinging public rebuke' that exposed simmering tensions between the President and his parliamentary leadership.
But here's where it gets controversial: The Minority also questioned whether the bill was linked to the recent arrest of Martin Kpebu, a vocal critic of the OSP and an NDC loyalist. 'The timing raises serious concerns,' the statement noted, hinting at a potential 'coordinated, multi-layered attack' on the independent anti-corruption body. Adding to the intrigue, the bill’s introduction coincided with a Supreme Court challenge to Act 959, which grants prosecutorial independence to the OSP. Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem-Sai had announced on social media that a citizen, Noah E. Tetteh, was seeking to nullify key sections of the law.
The Minority argued that Ayariga and Dafeamekpor’s actions not only lacked judgment but also undermined Ghana’s anti-corruption standing and weakened confidence in prosecutorial independence. 'Their roles as the President’s key parliamentary allies demand sound judgment and discipline,' the statement emphasized. It further noted that the President’s intervention made it clear the initiative was neither approved nor aligned with government policy.
Now, here’s the burning question: Should Ayariga and Dafeamekpor step down to restore public trust, or is this just a political storm in a teacup? The Minority insists that their resignation is the only way to uphold accountability and repair the damage. But what do you think? Is this a genuine breach of trust, or is the Minority overreacting? Let’s spark a conversation—share your thoughts in the comments below!
