General News of Sunday, 30 September 2018
Source: citinewsroom.com
2018-09-30
Sydney Casely Hayford
Sydney Casely Hayford, a member of pressure group, Occupy Ghana, has said government cannot toy with the Office of the Special Prosecutor and lose the fight against corruption.
He says the effort in setting up the office to investigate individuals engaged in acts of corruption cannot go down the drain simply because the office does not have the requisite resources to enable it to achieve the purpose for which it was established.
Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, has complained that since assuming office in February 2018, he is unable to effectively deliver on his mandate because his office is under-resourced.
Mr. Amidu also said his job is becoming difficult due what he described as lack of support from government appointees.
Speaking on Citi FM/TV’s news analysis programme, The Big Issue, Casely Hayford said considering the noise that greeted the establishment of the office, government must equip the office well enough to ensure that the fight against corruption is won at all cost.
“But I don’t think this government can afford to lose the fight against corruption by not providing the necessary requirement for the special prosecutor to work. If it has gone forward and set up the special prosecutor’s office and actually appointed a special prosecutor. I think where they have gone wrong is not making sure that an LI was put in place. It could be that they run away from that, they lost track of it and they didn’t do it.”
He added that, he would be completely taken aback if government fails to address the numerous challenges that have bedevilled the office of the special prosecutor.
“I think it must be done speedily now because it’s critical that persons who have actually stolen monies and frittered away resources that we have should be brought to book and jailed. And if the best way to do it is through the special prosecutor, then it is important for it to be done. I will be very surprised if government doesn’t react.”
I’ve no legislation, I’m just using common sense’ – Amidu complains
The Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu spoke openly for the first time about the challenges he’s facing in executing his mandate.
The frustrated Special Prosecutor said his office lacks the resources to deliver.
He warned that the office will not be able to fully discharge its duties if the situation is not addressed soon.
“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.”
Stop whining and get to work – Adu Asare to Martin Amidu
A former presidential staffer and member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kojo Adu- Asare, has urged the Special Prosecutor to stop whining and focus on his job.
Adu Asare, who is also a former MP for Adentan, said “I think Martin Amidu complains a lot and he talks too much. He should get to work.”
I will assist Martin Amidu to succeed – Nana Addo
Meanwhile, President Akufo- Addo has given the assurance that concerns raised by Marin Amidu will be addressed.
“The office has been established by law and contrary to a lot of things the efforts are being made to make sure that the office is functional. I think very soon, all of you will see that indeed, the office is functional.