Holding on to integrity when all else are compromising and caving under pressure is one of the hallmarks of successful people.
The bottom line is that only a few people can really express their support and throw their weight behind an action which is intended to unravel corruption and other vices detrimental to the health and growth of an institution or country.
Africa, in spite of the blessings of natural resources, continue to live in abject poverty simply because of the vile acts of corruption and greed displayed by state officials who are put there to cater to the needs of the country and its citizens.
Down here in Ghana, the situation is no different as government has been plagued with the almost unshakable trauma of corruption and all in a bid to fight it, the Office of the Special Prosecutor was set up to handle corruption and corruption-related offences.
Ghanaians had high hopes for the first ever Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, although he had to resign, citing interference in his duties from government.
Following suit, Kissi Agyebeng took over and is facing the same nightmare of political and judiciary intrusion into the execution of his mandate as a Special Prosecutor.
On November 29, 2023, the Special Prosecutor in a first-ever press conference, vented serious concerns about the growing trend of dismissive rulings in corruption cases.
He cautioned that such trends could have severe consequences for the country’s anti-corruption endeavors.
One thing which stuck out to Ghanaians was the smokescreen of government in dealing with corruption. Although the state puts on a cloak of accountability and honesty, its actions fail to commensurate such virtues.
While some criticized the Special Prosecutor for washing the ‘dirty’ linens of the judiciary and government in public, others commended him for taking such bold step, urging him not to resign.
Nii Ayikoi Otoo, former Attorney General under the Kufuor administration, advised the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to file appeals instead of holding press conferences to criticize judges’ dismissive rulings in corruption cases.
To him, he does not think that it is necessary for the Special Prosecutor to “lament and to hold press conferences”.
” I mean when a lawyer goes to court and he loses a case, if you believe strongly that the judges committed errors in coming to that conclusion, all you need to do is to file an appeal. He (Special Prosecutor) is completely wrong, he should have done that… Instead of going on appeal, you sit and cry to a press. What does he want the press to do for him? That is very disappointing on his part.”
Nii Ayikoi Otoo
Kissi Agyebeng receives support from majority in parliament
That notwithstanding, the majority in parliament thinks differently as it called on both parliament and Ghanaians to throw their weight behind the Special Prosecutor.
After Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin’s recent statement emphasized the futility of the law establishing the OSP during parliamentary proceedings, the Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, called on the Special Prosecutor not to relent in his duties.
“We need to support the Special Prosecutor. This is the first time a government has boldly walked a political talk from the manifesto into bringing an enactment to give it the life that it needs.
“Let’s encourage the Special Prosecutor to do his work. I would want to encourage the office to strengthen itself with the limited resources that it gets, move through the court system, and get the court to appreciate its work.”
Alexander Afenyo-Markin
The truth is that no worthy cause comes without challenges and roadblocks. However, the ability to maintain one’s grip on the handle of resilience and determination to forge ahead always pays.
Corruption and political interference of same can be ‘fought’ against if citizens rallies behind persons who are resolute in tackling such canker.
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