The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has filed an appeal against the judgment of the High Court in Kumasi, which acquitted and discharged Alexander Kwabena Sarfo-Kantanka, under the then President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s nominee for municipal chief executive for Juaben in the Ashanti Region, in an alleged bribery case.
The case, which was prosecuted by the OSP, initially made headlines in late 2021 when video clips surfaced, purportedly showing the accused in discussions with assembly members over his confirmation.
The OSP swiftly launched an investigation and subsequently charged him in what was seen as a test case for the newly established anti-corruption office.
The Kumasi High Court commenced the full trial against Sarfo-Kantanka on October 20, 2022.
He was later charged with 26 counts of corruption for allegedly paying bribes to facilitate his approval.
The court ruled, among other things, that there was no direct link between the video and the alleged bribery.
The OSP contends that the judgment cannot be supported, having regard to the evidence on record, and that the trial judge misdirected herself on key issues of law and fact.
The OSP believes justice was not served and has taken steps to challenge the decision at the appellate level.
The verdict is being viewed by many as a major blow to the OSP, which has taken on several high-profile corruption cases in recent years but continues to face challenges in securing convictions.
OSP Appeals High Court Ruling in Sarfo-Kantanka Bribery Case
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The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has filed an appeal challenging the decision of the High Court in Kumasi, which acquitted and discharged Alexander Kwabena Sarfo-Kantanka, President Akufo-Addo’s… pic.twitter.com/SfpHhi5QUU— Office of the Special Prosecutor-Ghana (@ospghana) June 26, 2025
