I was Martin Amidu’s opposing counsel in the 90’s – Akufo-Addo reveals

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has revealed that Special Prosecutor Martin Alamisi Amidu is very tenacious in holding on to his views.

He said he has known him for this for several years to the extent that they were opponents on many landmark constitutional cases in the early 1990s.

The president expressed fond memories of him and Mr Amidu on Friday, when he swore him in as the Special Prosecutor.

Mr Amidu is expected to help government in the fight against corruption with his new role.

As the President once put it, he is expected to “the fear of God” in public servants.

He assured the National Democratic Congress (NDC) member that the Executive, and for that matter, the Attorney General, respects the independence of the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

“[We] will also provide [Mr Amidu] with whatever assistance is required to enable him discharge his high duties effectively, in the interest of the Ghanaian people.”

He said the tenacity with which the former Attorney General advocated his cases in court should be made to benefit Ghanaians in this new position.



“I have known Martin Amidu for several years.

“Indeed, I was his opposing counsel in many of the landmark constitutional cases in the early years of the 4th Republic in the 1990s, and can personally testify to the tenacity with which he holds onto his views.

“That tenacity has now to be exercised in favour of the Ghanaian people in his new office.”

Mr Amidu assured the president, and the nation, by extension, of fairness.

“I will treat crime as crime and nothing else.”