Audio Attachment:Listen to President Akufo-Addo during the annoncement at the Flagstaffhouse |
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo today [Thursday], after an emergency cabinet meeting at the Flagstaff House, has named a former Attorney General in the National Democratic Congress [NDC] administration, Martin Alamisi Benz-Kaiser Amidu as the Independent Special Prosecutor (ISP).
President Akufo-Addo, announcing Mr. Amidu for the newly created office of the Independent Special Prosecutor, noted he will present the name to Parliament for approval.
The President also commended him for his continual combat against corruption as an anti-corruption crusader.
"I can vouch for his spiritedness", the President acclaimed the former Attorney General and Citizen Vigilante.
The appointment of Mr. Amidu, to many Ghanaians, strikes fear in current and former government appointees who may have the penchant for corruption.
Campaign Promise
As part of his election 2016 campaign promises, President Akufo-Addo stated his administration will set up an office of an independent Special Prosecutor to deal with corruption cases in the country.
The New Patriotic Party in the election manifesto said, the office will “be independent of the Executive, to investigate and prosecute certain categories of cases and allegations of corruption and other criminal wrongdoing, including those involving alleged violations of the Public Procurement Act and cases implicating political officeholders and politicians.”
Following his assumption of office, he has reiterated his commitment to set up the office and nominate someone to occupy it.
Bill Passed
On Tuesday, November 14th, 2017, Parliament finally passed the Special Prosecutor's Bill at a marathon sitting amidst controversy over whether the prospective Special Prosecutor should be immuned from prosecution.
The government was racing against time to have the bill passed ahead of the reading of the 2018 Budget statement which has been scheduled for the next day Wednesday.
Over 30 ammendments were made to the Bill that gives power to the new independent prosecutor tasked with the responsibility of prosecuting past and present public officers deemed to have been corrupt.
Chief among the controversial amendments is the decision to free the independent prosecutor from any form of prosecution.
Prez Assents Bill
Then barely 48hours into the new year, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo gave a Presidential Assent to the Office of Special Prosecutor Bill, and four other bills key on the agenda of his administration.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor Bill, the Zongo Development Fund Bill, and the bills that seek to establish three development authorities received legislative approval last year and will pave the way for the President to fulfill certain promises upon which he was elected into office.
President Akufo-Addo told reporters at the Presidency yesterday that the establishment of the Office of Special Prosecutor was an important step in the government’s determination to root out corruption from public offices.
Amidu Punches Holes In Bill
Interestingly, the man who has just been named as the Special Prosecutor for the newly created office of the Independent Prosecutor, had earlier raised issues with the bill.
In a 25-page critique of the Bill, he warned that the then Special Prosecutor's bill currently before Parliament lacked the power to fight corruption if passed to become law and advised the President to be careful of some elements in his government whose intentions are to embarrass him in his fight against corruption.
About Martin Amidu
Martin A.B.K Amidu, affectionately called "Citizen Vigilante" was the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice during the Mills/Mahama administration from January 2011 till January 2012.
He is the author of the word "gargantuan" in the lexicon of Ghana's politics which led to the infamous Woyome judgment debt scandal.
Mr. Amidu has since been an anti-corruption crusader, fully committing himself to the fight of corruption in the country.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi /Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
Run mam run Santana in town. We think that people will start running away and some will hide under their beds. Amidu the saint will actually do the good work but let see whether Woyome can run away with $51 million
God bless you Mr President. Let's now wait patiently for NDC press conference on this appointment
Welcome news.. Long overdue..
Who can Beat Prez. Akuffo Addo? Too much for the state. Now all politicians and public servants who are corrupt must be ready to Face His Office. Well done Mr. President. The Create, Loot and Share squad must be ready. Thank you Mr. President
President Nana Addo anaaa, he is full of surprises. Yes this is what we call the peoples President. Congrats Mr. Amidu on your appointment as a special prosecutor. Do your work as it deemed to be done. Once again congrats.
Oyiwa, Eno na 3da ho no. Where are those fo*ls who were chasing the wind and insulting Akoto Ampaw and others, now ndc your own master Sir Matin Amidu citizens vigilante is on the seat, ay3 ka! Most Ghanaians recommended him for the job since he was the only man who stood for mother Ghana when those vampires were devouring her. Now those who insulted him go and face him.
Well done Mr president. He is the best man for the job Martin will bring all corrupt officials both present and past to beeok
He's the right person for this position, I have no doubt. If Ghana wants to win the fight against corruption there is the need for an all inclusiveness, regardless of political affiliations. The corruption ***barred word*** must stop! Congrats Mr. Martin Amidu!
Thank God!
Mr. Amidu, please let heads roll and expeditiously. Don't waste time at all