The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), in collaboration with the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) and its partners, convened a media awareness workshop focused on "Electoral Corruption Offences and Sanctions" on February 7, 2024, at the Fiesta Royale Hotel in Accra.

The workshop drew the participation of 64 attendees, primarily media personnel, alongside representatives from key public institutions including the OSP and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

Led by Samuel Appiah Darko, Director for Strategy, Research, and Communication at the OSP, the presentation zeroed in on electoral corruption offenses falling within the OSP's jurisdiction. Appiah Darko meticulously delineated the range of offenses that the OSP is mandated to investigate, emphasizing the distinction between these and other cases outside the OSP's purview.

Highlighting the four-fold mandate of the OSP, Appiah Darko underscored the office's commitment to preventing and investigating corruption, conducting thorough prosecutions, and facilitating the recovery of ill-gotten gains from corrupt practices. He emphasized the importance of clarity in understanding the OSP's scope of work, noting that while any wrongdoing by politicians may be perceived as corruption by the public, the OSP is specifically tasked with addressing defined instances of corruption.

Furthermore, Appiah Darko stressed the role of the media in dispelling misconceptions about the OSP's efficacy, urging journalists to play a proactive role in educating the public. He emphasized the need to prevent the perception that the OSP has failed or is not functioning effectively.

The workshop served as a platform for robust discussions and knowledge-sharing among participants, fostering a deeper understanding of electoral corruption and the role of relevant institutions in combating it. As Ghana prepares for upcoming elections, such initiatives underscore the importance of collaborative efforts in ensuring transparency, accountability, and integrity in the electoral process.