President John Mahama has described calls to abolish the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) as premature, emphasizing that the institution continues to play a vital role in Ghana’s anti-corruption framework.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the National Peace Council at Jubilee House on Wednesday, December 10, President Mahama highlighted that the OSP is the only anti-corruption agency in the country with full prosecutorial independence.

“I think it’s premature to call for the closure of that office,” he said, noting that the OSP can prosecute cases independently without routing them through the Attorney-General.

The President stressed that public distrust in the Attorney-General’s office, which is part of the sitting government, makes the OSP’s independence essential. “People believe the Attorney-General will be very reluctant to prosecute his own. But if there is an independent office like the OSP, it won’t matter who you are, because they have security of tenure and the prosecutorial authority to act,” he explained.

President Mahama also urged the OSP to accelerate ongoing investigations to rebuild public confidence. “People want to see more prosecutions and more results. I will just urge the OSP to speed up some of these investigations and show that the office is still very relevant,” he said.

His remarks come in the wake of calls by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga to scrap the OSP, citing its failure to deliver on its mandate nearly eight years after its establishment. Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, December 4, Mr. Ayariga questioned the constitutional basis and effectiveness of the office, urging Parliament to reconsider its approval of its creation.

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin also expressed concerns over the continued allocation of large budgetary resources to the OSP, describing the expenditure as unjustifiable given the office’s performance. He noted that despite initial optimism surrounding its establishment, the office has yet to demonstrate commensurate results.

Some legal experts, including former Ghana Bar Association President Sam Okudzeto, have supported calls for the OSP’s abolition, arguing that it has not fulfilled its intended purpose and represents a misuse of state resources.

Ghana has deported three Israeli nationals in a swift reciprocal action after what it described as the ill-treatment and unjustified deportation of three Ghanaians by Israeli authorities at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday that the decision followed the detention of seven Ghanaian travellers on Sunday, December 7, 2025. Among them were four Members of Parliament who had travelled to attend the Annual International Cybersecurity Conference in Tel Aviv.

The remaining three Ghanaians were placed on the next available flight and have since returned home.

In a statement, the Ministry explained, “Following the ill-treatment and unjustified deportation of three Ghanaian nationals by Israeli authorities, the Government of Ghana has been compelled to retaliate by deporting three Israelis who arrived in Ghana earlier today.”

The Ministry added that the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Israeli Embassy had been summoned, as the Ambassador was outside the country, noting that both sides had agreed to work towards an amicable resolution.

The government condemned the conduct of Israeli authorities at the port of entry, saying it had observed with serious concern what appeared to be deliberate targeting and inhumane treatment of Ghanaian travellers since December 7. According to the Ministry, the detained Ghanaian delegation was released only after more than five hours of intense diplomatic intervention.

The Ministry dismissed Israel’s claim that the deportations were linked to alleged non-cooperation by Ghana’s Embassy in Tel Aviv in handling the removal of Ghanaians in Israeli custody. It described the explanation as completely untenable and insisted the mission had been responsive and compliant with international law.

While reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to its long-standing diplomatic relationship with Israel, the Ministry stressed that the country would not tolerate disrespect toward its nationals. “Ghana values its relations with all friendly states and expects its citizens to be treated with dignity and respect, just as other governments expect Ghana to treat their nationals,” the statement noted.

The Ministry highlighted that Ghana and Israel have enjoyed more than six decades of cordial relations, including significant visa-free travel between the two countries. It however described the recent actions of Israeli authorities as extremely provocative, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the friendly ties both nations have maintained.

Although both governments have agreed to pursue an amicable settlement, the Ministry confirmed that Ghana is considering further reciprocal measures if the situation continues.

President John Dramani Mahama has signed the COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy Repeal Act, 2025, officially taking off the 1 percent charge on goods, services, and imports. The signing took place on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at the Jubilee House in Accra.

The levy, which took effect on March 31, 2021, was introduced to support Ghana’s recovery during the pandemic and was added on top of VAT, NHIL, and GETFund charges. Its removal follows parliamentary approval last month as part of a broader push to scrap what government has described as nuisance taxes and reduce the rising cost of living.

With the President’s assent, the levy will be removed starting January 2026. Government expects this decision to ease pressure on businesses and consumers by lowering the overall cost of goods and services.

The COVID-19 levy, created under Act 1068, has been in place for four years. Its repeal forms part of a series of tax reforms the government believes will stimulate economic activity and strengthen household purchasing power.