The Director of Strategy, Research, and Communications at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Samuel Appiah Darko, has disclosed that Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng has survived two separate assassination attempts. The revelation underscores the significant dangers associated with combating corruption in Ghana, according to OSP officials.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsfile program over the weekend, Mr. Darko, widely known as Sammy Darko, emphasized that the OSP's work, characterized by covert operations and the pursuit of influential figures, inherently exposes its officers to considerable risk. This reality, he explained, is the driving force behind the office's strict policy of protecting staff identities.
"It is well known. The Special Prosecutor has survived two assassination attempts," Mr. Darko stated.
He further indicated that the threats extend beyond the Special Prosecutor himself. Mr. Darko recounted a personal experience where he was allegedly handcuffed, beaten, and forcibly removed from his office by 17 police officers during a previous confrontation. He asserted that such incidents highlight the constant peril faced by officers working at the OSP.
"Sometimes I don’t even live in one place," he added, emphasizing the formidable power of those the OSP confronts.
Referencing an ongoing case involving the alleged diversion of fuel resulting in losses of GH₵800 million, GH₵600 million, and GH₵80 million respectively, Mr. Darko noted the potential hostility and desperation of suspects in such high-stakes cases.
"You think these people will be happy when you are there? Certainly not," he remarked, highlighting the inherent risks involved in pursuing such matters.
Mr. Darko further pointed out that the OSP has brought a "former Commissioner-General and one of the most powerful men in Ghana" before the court, a move that has made officers frequent targets of intimidation.
Regarding the investigations into the alleged assassination attempts, Mr. Darko stated that inquiries "have been conducted in the past" but declined to provide further details, citing national security concerns.
He also criticized the previous leakage of an internal memo containing the names of OSP officers, which he said exposed them to threats and nearly led to some resignations.
"If we don’t put out their names, it is because we are protecting them and their families," he stressed, reiterating the OSP's commitment to safeguarding its personnel.
