Akufo-Addo was forced to set up my office - Martin Amidu

Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu has stated that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was compelled to set up his office, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), after intense pressure was put on him by Ghanaians.

He argued that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had campaigned vigorously on the fight against corruption, especially through the setting up of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, and was therefore press-ganged into setting up the anti-corruption body.

“I understood Ghanaians when they wanted it (OSP) created. And when the Presidential was literally compelled [to create it] because he had won the election on that promise to take steps to establish it. And I contributed towards the process,” he told legendary journalist David Ampofo on Time with David, a social media broadcast programme.

He noted that Ghanaians after having endured corruption for a long time wanted a President who will take concrete steps to fight corruption. And therefore chose President Akufo-Addo to do that job.

"I deeply appreciate and understand the feelings of Ghanaians when they realized that their demands at the 2016 elections for a President who will take steps to make corruption a very high risk enterprise. And therefore literally minimize its effects on their lives because corruption destroys democracy, it destroys the rule of law, it destroys the economy, it makes the poor poorer, and it really dislocates good governance,” he reiterated to Mr Ampofo.

Mr Amidu also spoke on his seeming failure to meet the expectations of Ghanaians upon his appointment as the first Special Prosecutor. He maintains that much needed support from state actors is lacking or minimal, but says that he fully understands the reasons for which much was expected from him:

“I understand why when I was appointed, there was euphoria because I was citizen vigilante, single-handedly fighting the canker of corruption,” he stressed.

Martin Amidu was appointed Special Prosecutor more than two years ago. But not much has been seen from him. He has consistently complained about his frustrations publicly, mainly blaming noncooperation from state agencies and personnel that are key to his work.