Accra, Jan. 17,- President Nana
Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Wednesday expressed confidence in the ability his
nominee for Special Prosecutor, former Attorney General Martin A.B.K Amidu, to
foster accountable governance and an efficient and honest public service.
“A significant choice, though,
that Mr Amidu is, I do not expect that he will provide all the answers for
dealing with the phenomenon of corruption by public officials, but I do believe
that, at the least, the Office will help remove the fear of partisan
prosecution, and begin to put the fear of God in all public officials who are
intending to go down the path of corruption,” he said.
Addressing the media at an
interaction at the Flagstaff House in Accra to mark his first year in office,
President Akufo-Addo said he was committed to stamping out corruption from
public life and would pursue all avenues to ensure that that canker was
minimised.
He sounded a note of caution to
his appointees that they would not be spared the wrath of the Special
Prosecutor when found to indulge in corrupt acts.
“Just in case it needs
reiterating, let me state again that current office holders are likely to be
investigated and prosecuted by the Special Prosecutor, if a case is made out
against them, as past office holders. At all times, the rule of law must be
adhered to,” he stated.
The President told the media that
so far, every single act of alleged corruption labelled against some members of
his administration had been or was in the process of being investigated by
independent bodies, and the findings so far made public.
He said the numerous allegations,
including that made against the Energy Minister, the CEO of the BOST, his two
deputy Chiefs of Staff and the recent claims of extortion against the ministers
of Trade and Special Development, had so far been proved untrue.
“However, some people appear
determined to stick to their politically-motivated view that there has been
corruption. This surely is not a helpful stance,” the President said.
“I have a greater interest in my
appointees not being corrupt than any critic could possibly have. Try me.
Produce the evidence to back the allegation, and see what the reaction will
be,” he said.
“But, I think it is also worth
pointing out that we should be careful about the new trend that appears to be
emerging, whereby any allegation, no matter how spurious, quickly gains the
character of a ‘scandal’ or ‘an act of corruption’, even when it is shot down.”
“I have made it publicly known
that anyone, who has information about acts of corruption against any of my
appointees, should bring it forward, and should be prepared to back it up with
evidence,” he reiterated.
On the issue of vigilantism and
the spate of lawlessness in the country, President Akufo-Addo condemned the
“disgraceful behaviour of some members of my party, the NPP, which has been
described as vigilantism.”
“There is no longer any argument
that criminal behaviour wears no political colours, and is solely to be dealt
with by the police. I pray that we have seen the last of it. We are
continuously working to ensure that it does not recur, that we uphold the rule
of law,” he stated.
GNA
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