Attorney General's Dismissal: NPP shocked; Ghana Bar Assoc Endorses It

The Minority Leader of Parliament, Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has expressed shock at the President�s decision to dismiss his chief legal advisor Martin Amidu, saying the dismissal undermines the nation�s attempts to eliminate corruption. But the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) sees nothing wrong with that saying the President has the prerogative to hire and fire at anytime. According to the NPP Member of Parliament for Suame, the President�s action raises questions about the national crusade against corruption. President John Evans Atta Mills fired his Attorney General and Minister for Justice on Thursday for what he described as �Mr. Amidu�s misconduct at a meeting last Friday�. Hon. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, however, maintained that the President�s decision, though vaguely explained, clearly demonstrates a wavering commitment to the fight against corruption. �What the President has done inflicts a mortal wound on Ghana�s efforts to investigate unpunished corruption,� he said. The minority leader added that the reason given for the AG�s dismissal is questionable and must be explained properly. Meanwhile, the Ghana Bar Association has stated that President Mills cannot be faulted in anyway for terminating the appointment of Hon Amidu. According to the GBA, by the provisions of the constitution, the President reserves the right to fire any member of his government with or without convincing reasons. Speaking to Citi News, the spokesperson of the lawyers� association, Tony Forson said the prerogative to hire and fire lies solely with the president. �If the President�s view is that the minister was rude to him and wants to fire, then the President is well within his right to go ahead and terminate his appointment,� he said.