President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed the Chief of Staff, Hon. Akosua Frema Oosei-Opare to pay outstanding salaries owed resigned Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu since his assumption of office.
Contained in a statement addressed to Martin Amidu the OSP, the Chief of Staff noted that “the President has directed me to ensure that all emoluments and benefits due you under law are paid to you accordingly”.
Additionally, the Presidency intimated that, it will “in due course” respond to issues raised by the former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu in his resignation letter.
Martin Amidu in his resignation announcement dated November 16, 2020, noted that, no attempts were made by the Government to ensure that he was paid in his two years of service.
In a similar vein, he indicated that the Deputy Special Prosecutor has also equally not received any payment.
“It is essential for me to state for the purpose of the records, and contrary to public perceptions, that my appointment letter was received on 5th February 2020 (almost two (2)-years after my appointment). The copy addressees made no efforts to honour any of the conditions of appointment in terms of emoluments and benefits of the appointment ever since my warrant of appointment was issued on 23rd February 2018 to the date of my letter of resignation. I accepted the offer on 10th January 2018 to be nominated to be Special Prosecutor because Mr. President, and Ghanaians knew I have been an anti-corruption crusader all my life and not an anti-corruption entrepreneur.
“This explains why I have never put the emoluments and benefits of the Office as central to my commitment and my passion for the establishment of an independent, effective, efficient and impartial anti-corruption Office of the Special Prosecutor before the end of the first term of Mr. President. This has not been possible for several reasons. The Deputy Special Prosecutor has also not been paid any emoluments since her appointment, and there is the need to redress that situation for her now that I am out of the way”.
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has accepted the resignation of Martin Amidu from the office of the Special Prosecutor
In a release by the presidency, it acknowledged the receipt of letter, from Mr. Amidu “dated 19 November 2020 (Ref: OSP/2/AM/14), addressed to the President of the Republic conveying to him your decision to resign from office as Special Prosecutor, which he has accepted”.
“The President has taken due note of the other matters raised in your letter, and the Government will issue a statement responding to them in due course.”
President Akufo-Addo expressed his gratitude to the outgone SP for his “service to the State and wishes you the best in your future endeavors”.
