President of Policy think-tank, IMANI Africa is seeking the whereabouts of the Special Prosecutor, Martin Alamisi Burnes Kaiser Amidu.
Martin Amidu was sworn in as Ghana’s first Special Prosecutor in 2018 by President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as an independent, non-political body with the relevant capacity to lead the fight against corruption in the country.
The President, who described the enactment of Act 959 and the successful appointment of Special Prosecutor as a historic event in Ghana’s modern history reiterated the expectation of Ghanaians to see both past and present public officials being held accountable for their stewardship.
“We expect the Special Prosecutor to discharge his duties vigorously with courage, without fear or favour, ill will or malice in accordance with the rule of Law,” President Akufo-Addo stated at the swearing in ceremony.
The appointment of the ‘Citizen Vigilante’ as Martin Amidu is affectionately called, generated hot discussions among Ghanaians.
Many were hopeful that he will get to work immediately and begin the prosecution of former government officials who were accused of corruption, particularly those who served in the John Mahama administration.
But more than 12 months after his swearing in, Ghanaians are yet to have a feel of the much feared Office of the Special Prosecutor as no news of the prosecution of an official is out.
Concerned citizens have been wondering why the Special Prosecutor is delaying in prosecuting the alleged corrupt public officials.
Franklin Cudjoe who seems impatient like many Ghanaians due to the surge in corruption and how suspected corrupt officials have been left off the hook despite the establishment of the Prosecutor’s office, has been asking what Martin Amidu is up to.
He took to his Facebook page to ask, “So, where is the Special Prosecutor? Is he planning to prevent future crimes?”
In September 2018, Martin Amidu complained about challenges his office is facing in effectively fighting corruption. He claimed his office was not well-resourced and warned that it may not be able to fully discharge its duties if the issues are not resolved urgently.
Speaking at the Ghana Audit Service National Audit Forum, he said, “I am saying this for the public to understand that we have set up an office. We have to organize that office, have the requisite personnel. It does not take one day. The law says 90 days after the assumption of office of the Special Prosecutor, pursuant legislation must be enacted, but as I speak today, I have no legislation so I use my common sense.”
“The law says I can coordinate with other organizations so I coordinate with the Auditor General, I coordinate with EOCO, I coordinate with other anti corruption agencies so as to find a way by which we can begin to work towards the ultimate end. I have warned that if most of these things are not done by the middle of this year then this office may not be able to be seen to be doing its mandate, because by middle next year we are in an election year. If I arrest someone, you will turn out and look at it; which party does he hold the insurance card for?” he cautioned.
By: Kekeli Kuatsenu/awakenewsonline.com
