Eswatini delegation visits OSP to study Ghana’s anti-corruption framework

A high-level delegation from the Eswatini has paid a working visit to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to learn about the country’s anti-corruption architecture and explore ways of strengthening similar institutions back home.

The visit, according to a Facebook update by the OSP on Wednesday, March 11, forms part of efforts by the southern African kingdom to deepen its understanding of anti-corruption enforcement, legal frameworks and institutional operations.

The delegation was led by Jabu Phakathi, Commissioner of the Eswatini Anti-Corruption Commission, and included the Legal Advisor and Legislative Drafter from the country’s Ministry of Justice & Constitutional Affairs of Eswatini.

During the visit, the team held discussions with Deputy Special Prosecutor Cynthia Lamptey and other senior officials of the OSP. The Ghanaian officials briefed the delegation on the office’s mandate, operational procedures and legal authority.

The engagement also covered the OSP’s inter-agency collaborations, international partnerships, stakeholder engagement strategies, staffing structure, resource management and accountability mechanisms.

The visiting officials further examined Ghana’s legal framework that guarantees the independence of the Special Prosecutor’s office from the executive branch of government. Discussions also touched on the appointment process and security of tenure of the Special Prosecutor, arrangements that allow cases to be pursued without interference from the Attorney General.

“They contrasted this with Eswatini, where the Anti-Corruption Commission’s Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner are political appointees of the King serving five-year terms, highlighting differences in institutional autonomy,” the post said.

The discussions also explored possible reforms that could strengthen Eswatini’s anti-corruption system, including proposals to grant investigative powers to the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission.

Additionally, the delegation studied Ghana’s ongoing constitutional review proposals aimed at entrenching the anti-corruption body in the constitution, clarifying Article 88 and improving the handling of unexplained wealth cases.

Read also…