Kissi Agyebeng, the Special Prosecutor Nominee, at his vetting has emphatically stated that it will not be possible for him to stop corruption in Ghana. He however, indicated that he as a special prosecutor will make corruption costly and high risk activity to discourage people from indulging in it.
“There is no way I can stop corruption, God himself will not acclaim to that. I am going to make corruption costly, a high risk activity.”
He added “I will institute what I call pressure for progress. This will be a systemic review of public agencies.”
He told the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Thursday July 22, 2021 that if persons are unable to explain the source of their wealth as against the lawful income they earn, then it qualifies to be described as unexplained wealth.
Meanwhile, the Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu asked Mr Agyebeng to give further explanation to what unexplained wealth is. He noted that “It is a bit too overbroad to explain unexplained wealth in criminal jurisprudence.”
However, he explained that wealth acquired by persons in Ghana can be described as unexplained when the individual’s source of wealth cannot be traced.
“And so if we are to place it in proper context unexplained wealth, I would say if the person cannot reasonably explain as match against his lawful income, the amount of money in questions then that aspect in my opinion should be criminalized but if you can reasonably explain how you came by that amount of money then that should be acceptable.”
Meanwhile, when asked about his involvement in the infamous Agyapa deal, Mr Kissi Agyebeng has dismissed claims he was involved in the controversial Agyapa Royalties agreement.
“I was not involved in Agyapa transaction in any form or manner”.
Meanwhile, he hinted of opening investigation into the Agyapa deal when he is successful as special prosecutor.
“I certainly will investigate the matter. The truth of the matter ought to be told, I was not involved in the deal.”
Touching on the independence of his office, the special prosecutor nominee stated that, “the independence of the Special Prosecutor from the direction or control of any person or authority in the performance of the functions of his office is the operative statutory words for the nomination of an impartial Special Prosecutor!”.
Furthermore, responding to a question in relation to a claim by Former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu that the “Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame and Asaase Radio owner Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko are his personal friends and so they will use him as a poodle.”
He indicated that they are just working mates and professionals so it will have no influence on his role as special prosecutor.
However, Mr Agyebeng said that the accusations by Mr Amidu are not true and that he is very focused to move away from Amidu’s era to “ institute what I call pressure for progress. There will be a systemic review of public agencies”.
