Multiple award-winning investigative Journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas has revealed he has met and spoken to Ghana’s first Special Prosecutor, Martin A.B.K. Amidu, and they intend to collaborate in the fight against the canker of corruption in Ghana.
In the over 20 minutes interview aired on Aljazeera monitored closely by MyNewsGh.com, Anas Aremeyaw Anas expressed high optimism about the appointment and eventual confirmation of “Uncle Martin”-as he affectionately called Mr Amidu throughout the interview- as Special Prosecutor.
Anas also made reference to the comments by Mr. Martin Amidu during his vetting about working together with him (Anas) in the fight against the scourge of corruption in Ghana.
Speaking exclusively to Aljazeera News, Anas Aremeyaw Anas revealed he has since spoken to Mr Martin Amidu; they have sat down to look at “their differences” and “their books”, with the conclusion being one- trouble for corrupt people in Ghana.
“… You have Uncle Martin sitting on that seat and I am collaborating with him, then there is really going to be heated on those corrupt officials in Ghana”, Anas said.
Responding to a question about the formerly strained relationship he had with his ‘Uncle’ Martin Amidu, Anas pointed to Mr Martin Amidu’s comments about him during his vetting, to show they have moved on, affirming that the fight against corruption is an important uniting factor for which reason corrupt officials should begin to fear for what is coming their way.
“I mean we have spoken, We have looked at our differences, we have looked at our books and I can only assure the skeptics- those corrupt people in Ghana- that if it is about the two of us, we will definitely get together to ensure that the bad guys go to jail”, the ace investigative journalist said.
“When he [Martin Amidu] was being vetted you would hear what he said about me. The good thing about the two of us is that we all fight against corruption. We basically do the same thing. And we have sat down and looked at our books and I should warn people in Ghana, the corrupt officials…”, he added.
The respected journalist defended the line of work he has chosen – undercover investigative journalism with three focus; to name, to shame and to jail corrupt officials, but added that he welcome criticism at all times.
He said he was in the know about how different the African terrain is from the US or the UK for which reason his style may not fit those countries; but knowing how difficult corruption makes life for ordinary people in Ghana’s rural communities for example, people who can’t have water or decent food because someone diverted their fair share of the national cake, Anas said it inspired him to name, shame and jail corrupt officials in Africa.
“I have chosen to name, shame and jail. I know that it may not work in the US or the UK. The UK is not my village. I know my village. I know that they don’t have pipe water. I know that they don’t have decent food. So if I pick a story in my village, I ensure that that bad guy who is taking my people’s food goes to jail. It may not work in the U.S. or UK. But it works in Africa.” He said.
“I think it is fair to criticize. The type of journalism I practice, I’ve tried and tested it and it works. The type of work I do fits my settings. I’m a product of my society.”, he said.
“My work has been challenged on many grounds and it stood the test of judicial scrutiny.”, he added.
I am prepared to work with Anas
Mr Martin Amidu had earlier said he is prepared to work with ace investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, and other anti-corruption campaigners as the Special Prosecutor when he appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament.
“I’m prepared to work with anyone who will help us achieve the objective of the Office,” the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice told the Committee when he appeared before it.
“You need to fight crime with those who want to fight crime and are genuine about it, you can’t do it alone,” he added.
Background
In an article in 2015, then citizen vigilante Mr. Amidu who is now Special Prosecutor alleged that investigative journalist Anas had been compromised.
Mr. Amidu alleged that it was the late President John Atta Mills who recruited Anas to collaborate with select security personnel to undertake the judicial corruption investigation which exposed monumental bribery and corruption in the judiciary, involving over 180 workers and 34 judges.
But journalist Anas Amereyaw Anas, after dismissing those allegations, with Mr Amidu persisting, and further back and forth, extended a hand of open collaboration to the former Attorney General Martin Amidu if he so desires. Anas said he wouldn’t mind working with Mr Amidu despite their differences.
“I am ready to work with him; maybe we can do something together. I don’t mind working with him at all,” Anas said in 2015 on JoyFM.
He said in spite of Mr. Amidu’s attacks on his work, especially his investigations into corruption in the country’s judiciary, his doors are open for collaboration between the two in fighting corruption in Ghana.
Back together again
With dialogue and collaboration between ace investigative journalist Anas and ‘Uncle Martin’ who is now Special Prosecutor, the only people who should have cause to worry right now are corrupt public officials, both past and present.
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