Martin Amidu could have used other methods to address his concerns - NPP MP

Chairperson of Parliamentary Select Committee on Education, Mr Siaka Stevens who is also the Member of Parliament for Jaman North, has jumped to the defence of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) following comments by Martin Amiudu of frustrations he is encountering.

He is suggesting the comments by Martin Amidu that he is not being provided with the needed information to discharge his duties, may not be coming from the current appointments but old appointees of previous administration.

He told Kwame Tutu, Frontline host on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm that, petitions have been filed by before Martin Amidu and in order for him to work, he is demanding for information but he is claiming some appointees are frustrating him.

‘’He is facing challenges and has called on the president to intervene. He has not accused the president of any wrongdoing and so let us not paint a picture as if he complained about the president.’’ Special Prosecutor, Mr Martin Amidu has complained bitterly of frustrations he is encountering in line of his work. Mr Amidu says appointees of President Akufo-Addo are not cooperating with him in the fight against corruption.

“You ask for information you can’t get it, you ask for docket, the docket cannot be produced. You ask a minister for a record, the record cannot be produced. How do you fight corruption when those appointed by the president who has a vision are not coordinating with the office of the special prosecutor to achieve his mandate? That is the challenge we have to face.’’

Speaking at the National Audit Forum organised by the Ghana Audit Service, Mr. Amidu indicated that “The success of the experiment would depend on the extent to which Ministries, Departments and Agencies in government with the responsibility to cooperate with the office to achieve the vision of the president who championed the setting up of the office.”

“The present situation where critical ministries and agencies have failed even with our limited constraints or refused to produce public records on demand to aid the office in critical investigations, offences running into millions of cedis, clearly demonstrates that there is divergence between the president’s vision and that of some of his appointees”

“The success in the fight against corruption will depend on the extent to which the president’s vision is supported by his operatives. The personality and reputation of the Special Prosecutor cannot be a solution to a problem which has festered since independence”.

“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.”

But the MP disagreed and insisted the Special Prosecutor has been provided with the needed resources The request for legislative instrument he said should not prevent Martin Amidu from discharging his duties.

Mr Siaka Stevens said, Mr Amidu has expressed his opinion but he [MP] felt there were channels he could have used in addressing his concerns.