Martin Amidu loves Ghana – Kwabena Donkor

Former Minister for Power under the Mahama administration, Dr Kwabena Donkor has advised Ghanaians not to hate Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu but rally behind him to work for the progress of Ghana.

Dr Donkor, the Member of Parliament for Pru East, who spoke on Power FM’s Dwaboase in Accra on Thursday, said Mr Amidu is capable of occupying that office because “he hates what retrogresses the country.”

“His work is tough but he can do it and you know how people perceive those who want things done the right way. The hating is normal. People will hate but that’s not what I’m interested in. To get the work done is what matters,” he told Kaakyire Appea-Apraku, the host of Dwaboase.

Unlike other members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Kwabena Donkor, who has been tipped by many to be on Mr. Amidu’s list of former appointees to be pursued following the AMERI deal, surprised the host when he said Ghanaians should support the former Attorney General in his new role to help deal drastically with corruption in the country.

When asked if he had any problems with Mr Amidu, the former minister said he did not know of any, saying “let’s focus on what he’s been mandated to do.”

Controversies

There have been tonnes of controversies surrounding the nomination of Mr Amidu since January – particularly from members of the NDC who say he may have been deliberately appointed for President Akufo Addo’s hatchet job and not to fight corruption as perceived.

They have pointed to some public statements against the Mahama Administration, which some saw as politically tainted which was exploited by then opposition NPP during the 2016 electioneering campaign.

The General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah issued a statement and cautioned Parliament to be circumspect during the exercise.

He said: “Our issue with the nomination of Mr. Martin Amidu is based purely and solely on important matters of principle. We note among others that Mr. Amidu has previously published a document challenging the constitutionality of the newly established Office of Special Prosecutor, the very office he has accepted to occupy,”

The statement further said, “We are not at all concerned, contrary to the insinuations of some that he [Amidu] should now be handed the full authority of state power to possibly pursue this agenda.” We believe that it is in the supreme national interest that the appointment of the person to head such an important institution be carefully thought-through, that above all such an individual should enjoy the respect and confidence of all sides of the polity, and must have the impartiality and objectivity of a judge and the integrity of a clergyman.”

Court Issues

The Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga East, Dr Dominic Ayine, on Monday, February 12, 2018 sued the state and Mr amidu over his age.

But Dr Ayine, a former Deputy Attorney General under the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) government is seeking the halt of Mr Amidu’s appointment because he is 66-year-old.

According to him, the Special Prosecutor nominee is above the retirement age for public office holder “pursuant to Article 190 (1) (d) of the 1992 constitution.

However, this was supported by Dr Kwabena Donkor, who believes Dr Ayine is seeking for the interpretation of the part of the constitution that may have been silent on the retirement age of holders of some public offices such as Mr Amidu’s.

“There is nothing wrong with him sending Martin Amidu to court. He’s a constitutional lawyer and I know he is seeking interpretation to that part of the constitution which is grey. It strengthens democracy,” he said.