Ghana has competent persons to be Special Prosecutors - Emil Short

Justice Emile Short, the first Commissioner at the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) believes there are competent hands in the country to made Special Prosecutors to deal with political and economic corruption in the country.

According to him, if only the office of the Special Prosecutor will be truly independent and does not suffer interference from the Attorney General’s Department, then he is optimistic it will execute its core mandate exceptionally.

While hoping that it does not end up becoming like one of those state institutions that have over time lost its significance, he expressed hope that the President will use due process in establishing this wing of governance.

President Akufo-Addo’s resolve to create an office of Special Prosecutor in Ghana’s public space is to ensure accountability.

The Special Prosecutor he explained will be charged to fight against corruption adding that persons who will serve in this special office will not be chosen by the President but “by a formula that will ensure their independence and the capacity to do their work.”

Emile Short on the Ultimate Breakfast Show hosted by Lantam Papanko said this is achievable but it can only be done by an act of parliament or a constitutional instrument stating that Government has sufficient majority in parliament to see this Legislative Instrument through.

“It is possible to establish such an office and get competent persons to run it. It all depends on the political will of the government to have a special prosecutor to deal with economic crime. I hope Hope the Attorney General will not interfere with the independent prosecutor because undue interference in its work will affect what is sort to be achieved”