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The executive director of the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) says the president should seek ways to convince Martin Amidu to rescind his decision to resign from his position as Special Prosecutor.
According to Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey, the departure of the ‘Vigilant Citizen’ will be a fatal blow to Ghana’s fight against corruption and the integrity of the Special Prosecutor’s Office.
“We need fighters. We need leaders like Martin Amidu to help us regain autonomy, task force, and independence from state institutions. (His resignation) is fatal to the integrity and strength of the office, ”he said on the AM Show on Tuesday.
Dr. Akwetey stated that Martin Amidu had certain principles and the courage to stand up to powerful people and prevail, so his appointment gave the Office the integrity it needs.
“He faced the fight against his own colleagues in the cabinet, among others. So, with that trajectory, when the president went for him, the message he sent was ‘this is the man who will shape the institution, who will make it grow and give it the image it needs,’ “he said.
However, his resignation will set a bad precedent and ultimately affect the job of whoever is tasked with filling the next office “because Ghanaians will tell you to be careful not to step on your toes,” said Dr. Akwetey.
He explained that for the country to be successful in the fight against corruption, it needs people with certain qualities and principles who can help the country’s institutions without fear of the “powerful.”
He added that Ghana will return to the starting point in its fight against corruption if the president accepts the resignation of Martin Amidu.
“This is fatal to what the OSP represented or was established to represent,” he said.
Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu resigned from his post three years after he was appointed by President Akufo-Addo.
The former attorney general wrote to President Nana Akufo-Addo on Monday saying his decision is to allow his appointing authority “to take the necessary steps to appoint a replacement to that post as required by law.”
