A heated exchange has unfolded between the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), led by Kissi Agyebeng, and Professor Ransford Gyampo, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority. The dispute centers on Prof. Gyampo's public comments and alleged direct communications concerning the OSP's ongoing investigation into former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta for alleged corruption and corruption-related offenses.

The controversy began when Prof. Gyampo publicly expressed his hope that the OSP's investigation into Ken Ofori-Atta was driven purely by patriotism and not by a personal vendetta or an attempt to curry favor with the current government to secure Mr. Agyebeng's position. Appearing on TV3 on June 21, 2025, Prof. Gyampo stated that if the motivation behind the investigation were anything but patriotic, it could severely damage the Special Prosecutor's reputation. He also voiced concerns that certain actions could lead to financial loss for the state, a duty he affirmed he "fully favours" to prevent.

In a strongly worded statement released on June 22, 2025, the OSP categorically dismissed Prof. Gyampo's insinuations, deeming them baseless, misleading, and potentially harmful to the integrity of its operations and Ghana's broader anti-corruption efforts. The OSP firmly asserted that its actions regarding the former Finance Minister are grounded in substantial and stated allegations of corruption and abuse of office for profit, specifically citing the multi-year contract awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) as a key area of investigation.

Adding another layer to the controversy, the OSP revealed a concerning interaction: Prof. Gyampo had attempted to contact the office, calling and sending messages, while OSP officers and National Security operatives were actively conducting a legally authorized search of SML's premises. The OSP viewed this as a potential act of interference with an ongoing investigation, stating such communication risked compromising investigative processes.

In response, Prof. Gyampo clarified his actions, stating he did not call the OSP's office but rather contacted Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng directly. He explained that a phone conversation did not occur because Mr. Agyebeng indicated he was unable to speak at the time. Prof. Gyampo maintained that his text message merely cautioned the Special Prosecutor against actions that could result in financial loss to the state and expressed a hope for patriotic intentions over personal ones. He denied any intent to influence the investigation and took issue with the OSP's "unfair" insinuation, stating it made him doubt the OSP's intentions further. Prof. Gyampo indicated his willingness to release the WhatsApp messages to provide full context and demonstrate his sole concern was the potential for unnecessary state expenditure.

The OSP's rebuttal concluded with a stern warning to public officials, cautioning them against any form of interference—whether direct engagement or through unfounded public statements—with ongoing investigations. The agency emphasized that such actions have the potential to undermine the crucial fight against corruption and compromise the independence and credibility of anti-corruption investigations in Ghana. The OSP reiterated that its work is strictly guided by evidence and legal standards, not personal considerations.