14 Civil Society Groups Join Supreme Court Challenge to Special Prosecutor Law

Fourteen civil society organisations (CSOs) have asked the Supreme Court to let them join a legal case. This case challenges the constitutionality of the law that created the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). The groups applied to join the case on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

The organisations believe this is a matter of major public interest. They want to help the court understand the law better. Their involvement is not about taking sides. It is driven by a shared commitment to fair governance and fighting corruption. Fourteen groups are involved, including CDD and IMANI Africa.

The OSP Act, passed in 2017, is Ghana's main law for fighting corruption. Some of these CSOs helped write and support this law. They say they have historical knowledge that can help the judges. The Supreme Court case is known as Adamtey v Attorney-General. It seeks to test important parts of the OSP law.

The groups want to become amici curiae. This means they will be 'friends of the court'. They can give legal and policy advice. They will not be direct parties in the fight. They also praised the Supreme Court for being more open to public input. This openness helps improve how constitutional matters are decided in Ghana.

If the Supreme Court agrees, these CSOs will share information. This includes international anti-corruption standards. They will also provide analyses of how institutions work. Broader public interest arguments will be presented. Their legal team includes lawyers like Kizito Beyuo and Oliver Barker-Vormawor. This case could shape how Ghana prosecutes corruption cases in the future. The outcome will be closely watched by governance advocates and the public.