Director of Strategy, Research and Communications at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Samuel Appiah Darko, has explained that the investigative body does not publicly announce all investigations it undertakes, stressing that such disclosures are reserved for matters of extreme public interest.

Mr Darko made this clarification in response to criticisms that followed a statement issued by the OSP announcing an ongoing investigation into allegations of vote buying during the February 7 parliamentary primary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Some critics had questioned why the OSP chose to make its probe into the NDC primary public, while it did not immediately issue a similar announcement regarding the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential primary held on January 31.

Addressing these concerns on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, February 9, Mr Darko emphasised that the absence of a public announcement does not mean an investigation is not being conducted, noting that the OSP exercises discretion in deciding when to inform the public about its work.

He explained that not every case meets the threshold that warrants public communication and that each situation is assessed on its own merits.

“As far as they [criticisms] are legitimate, it doesn’t make the presser invalid. Some investigations are done in the quiet and as you are aware, when the OSP is exacting investigations, we hardly announce it unless it is of extreme public interest and it is important the public knows something is being done about it.”

The February 7 primary was won by Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed, who defeated Hajia Amina Adam and three other contenders to secure the party’s parliamentary slot.

His victory, however, became the subject of controversy after claims emerged that delegates may have been improperly induced.

In the wake of the allegations, the NDC announced the formation of an internal investigative committee to look into the claims of inducement surrounding the primary.

The committee is expected to examine the circumstances of the election and submit a report to the party on February 10.