Former Member (MP) of Parliament for the Assikuma-Odoben-Brakwa constituency, Paul Collins Appiah has charged the nominated Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng to go after corrupt officials in the private sector.
Speaking in an interview the politician said, the Special Prosecutor’s Office should not go after only corrupt officials;in the public sector but the private sector as well.
According to him, he believes corruption is more common in the private sector compared to the public sector. He then asked the nominee to broaden his scope of work if given the nod.
“I will only tell the Special Prosecutor not to limit himself to the public sector;but move to the private sector as well. There is more corruption in the private sector than what is in the public sector.”
Paul Appiah
Mr. Appiah said he made this discovery when as an MP, he was made to undertake an investigation in the private sector.
Sharing his discovery, he mentioned that his assignment at the Tema Port at the time revealed high incidents of corruption that cost the nation tons of cash.
“I went to the Tema Port and the scene there was rather a sad one. Businessmen will import goods worth billions of cedis and will collude with port officials to under declare their shipments and pay a few thousands as duty.”
Paul Appiah
He further charged Ghanaians to support whoever is appointed Special Prosecutor in the execution of his or her mandate.
Use a different approach to prosecute
Meanwhile, a private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu advised Special Prosecutor-nominee,;Kissi Agyebeng to use a different approach;and strategy in prosecuting corruption and corruption-related offences.
Martin Kpebu said he believes, Mr. Agyebeng may face practical challenges in the new role. He added that in spite of the difficulty he could face, he should be given the opportunity to prove himself. He also advised him to consider the practice of plea bargaining.
“We can only allow Mr. Agyebeng to come into the office and see how he can negotiate his way. And from sharing ideas with other lawyers,;we think that perhaps when Mr. Agyebeng takes office,;he can increase the practice of plea bargaining.”
Martin Kpebu
The Attorney General has nominated the Chairman of the Electronic Communications Tribunal, Kissi Agyebeng, as the next Special Prosecutor.
His nomination was announced by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General,;Godfred Dame in a letter to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo dated Friday, April 16, 2021.
“In accordance with Section 13(3) of Act 959, I hereby nominate Kissi Agyebeng ESQ for the appointment of the position of Special Prosecutor, subject to the approval of the majority of all the members of parliament.
“I am satisfied that Kissi Agyebeng possesses the requisite expertise on corruption;and corruption-related issues is high moral character and govern integrity;and satisfy all the other requirements stipulated in Section 13(1) and (2) of Act 959.”
