All the corrupt deals in Ghana are cooked at the Office of the President – Franklin Cudjoe

The founder and president of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has given an explanation of why the creation of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has not had any significant impact on the fight against corruption in Ghana.

He made the point that the country is failing in the fight against corruption because most of the corrupt deeds in the government start from the seat of government, the Office of the President.

He said that if the country wants to really fight corruption, then the fight should start from the seat of the government, citinewsroom.com reports

Franklin Cudjoe added that after acts of corruption are committed, the OSP can do nothing because the corrupt individuals would have the money to protect themselves.

"Charity begins at home, and so fighting corruption should start at the Presidency because that is where all the crooked things are cooked.

"Look at the Scholarship Secretariat scandal; is it not from there? This Ministry of Special Initiatives, was it not harboured at the Presidency, which led to all these dams that were constructed like dugouts and wasted money all over the place. Just take a cursory look at that office," he is quoted to have said on The Big Issue programme on Citi FM.

He added, "So, even creating the Office of the Special Prosecutor was like battling after the facts were established, and people with deep pockets will fight you because they have made enough money to fight you through. We at IMANI say that fighting corruption and waste begins at the Presidency."

The IMANI president's comments come following President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's decision to forward a petition for the removal of Kissi Agyebeng as Special Prosecutor to the Chief Justice.

The petition, dated April 30, 2024, was presented to the president by the former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, and was relayed to Justice Gertrude Torkonoo on May 6, 2024.

Amidu was reported to have cited procurement irregularities in the acquisition of vehicles for the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and alleged misconduct involving judges and the administration of justice.

Additional accusations encompass the infringement of citizens' rights via arrests and detentions, breaches of the right to information, and the inappropriate appointment of staff to the office.

In accordance with Article 146 of the Constitution, the Chief Justice is currently assessing whether there is sufficient initial evidence to constitute a committee for Agyebeng's potential impeachment.

BAI/NOQ

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