I'm finding it difficult to work effectively - Amidu laments

Special Prosecutor, Mr Martin Amidu, has descried the lack of resources to enable him work effectively and efficiently.

Mr Amidu said he does not have a legislation to work hence he has resorted to the use of common sense to enable him work.

Speaking at the National Audit Forum organised by the Ghana Audit Service, Mr Amidu stated that:

“I am saying this for the public to understand that we have set up an office. We have to organize that office, have the requisite personnel. It does not take one day. The law says 90 days after the assumption of office of the Special Prosecutor, pursuant legislation must be enacted, but as I speak today, I have no legislation so I use my common sense.”

“The law says I can coordinate with other organizations so I coordinate with the Auditor General, I coordinate with EOCO, I coordinate with other anti corruption agencies so as to find a way by which we can begin to work towards the ultimate end. I have warned that if most of these things are not done by the middle of this year then this office may not be able to be seen to be doing its mandate, because by middle next year we are in an election year. If I arrest someone, you will turn out and look at it; which party does he hold the insurance card for?” Martin Alamisi Burnes Kaiser Amidu was sworn in as Ghana's first Special Prosecutor in February this year.

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, presented him the instrument of appointment, after he took the Official Oath and the Oath of Secrecy at a short ceremony at the Flagstaff House in Accra. It will be recalled that on January 2, 2018, President Akufo-Addo assented to the enactment of the Office of Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).

Pursuant thereto, the Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo, in compliance with the provision of Section 13 Clause 3 of the Act, on January 11, 2018, exercised her power of nomination and submitted to President Akufo-Addo for his acceptance, Martin Amidu, as the proposed Special Prosecutor.

On the same day, President Akufo-Adoo accepted the nomination of Mr Amidu as Special Prosecutor and, in turn, submitted it to Parliament for parliamentary approval after he had announced it to the people of Ghana.

On the 20 January, 2018, the Speaker of Parliament, Right Hon. Prof. Mike Aaron Ocquaye, notified the President, by letter, the approval by consensus, of the appointment of Mr Amidu as Special Prosecutor.