AG’s office opened to contributions on special prosecutor’s bill – Gloria Akuffo

The Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo has called on all Ghanaians to feel free to make contributions to help refine the special prosecutor’s draft bill before it is submitted to cabinet and later laid before parliament for approval.

She was speaking at the opening of a two-day workshop on a Stakeholders’ workshop on the office of the special prosecutor draft bill on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 in Accra.

“My office therefore welcomes frank, honest views and criticisms on the bill with the view to improve the draft before you”, she said. The Attorney General also assured Ghanaians of their active involvement throughout the process of creating the special prosecutor’s office.

She explains “The objective of the stakeholders’ workshop is to seek your valued input and recommendations on the first draft of the office of the special prosecutor’s bill as developed by my office. We are hopeful that your inputs and recommendations will inform and shape the development of the draft bill prior to its finalization and submission to cabinet for its approval before it is laid before parliament. Once the bill is laid in parliament, there will be the usual opportunity for the public and civil society to comment on the bill and contribute to its further development before it is passed into law”.

She reminded Ghanaians the fight against corruption is not the prerogative of an individual or one institution but rather a collective effort, for which reason everybody must be ready to contribute to the fight, she reiterated, “As stakeholders in the fight against corruption, it is our collective civic duty and responsibility to contribute our diverse expertise and perspective towards the development of a sound and effective legal framework to strengthen the anti-corruption regime in the country”.

She expressed optimism on the prospects of the special prosecutor’s office, noting it will go a long way to expedite the fight against corruption.

“It is our believe that the establishment of the office of the special prosecutor, though not a complete or total remedy for the menace of corruption in our country will be a major step towards strengthening the anti-corruption regime in this country and thereby substantially reduce the canker if not eliminate it”