Former deputy Attorney General, Dominic Ayine, has filed a suit at the Supreme Court challenging 66-year-old Amidu’s nomination for the post arguing that he had exceeded the maximum age of retirement in the public service.

According to Dominic Ayine it would be unconstitutional for Martin Amidu to be approved for the position.

[contextly_sidebar id=”jMDBTAJfw7iQtmfWAcMWaT9nITp7NXBj”]However, Sydney Casley Hayford, speaking on Citi FM‘s news analysis programme The Big Issue, stated that Mr Amidu’s age should not be a factor in his consideration for the post.

He argued that competence and enthusiasm were more important factors that indicated whether a person was appropriate for the job, both of which Martin Amidu had shown at his vetting.

“What is wrong with a 60-year-old person? Can’t you walk? Can’t you talk? Can’t you think? Are you incapacitated physically and mentally? It is enthusiasm that keeps you going, it is not age. Your chronological age has nothing to do anything,” he said.

He added that even though the provisions in the Constitution upheld, a person’s desire to do the work they have been tasked with should be foremost in the factors for their approval.

‘Too old’

Former Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Dominic Ayine challenged the nomination of Martin Amidu for the position of Special Prosecutor because of his age.

In his argument, he said the Office of the Special Prosecutor falls under the broad category of public officers who by the constitution must retire by age 60 with a possible extension to 65 years.

He is seeking  declaration that “by a true and proper interpretation of Article 190(1)(d),199(1,)199(4) and 295 of the 1992 Constitution, the retirement age of all holders of public office created pursuant to Article(1)(d) is sixty years, anyhow not beyond (65).”

Vetted and endorsed

Martin Amidu was vetted by the Appointments Committee last Tuesday, February 15, 2018; an assessment exercise that lasted for over 7 hours.

Mr. Amidu’s public vetting has received widespread commendation as many stakeholders believe he performed creditably.

The Appointments Committee also unanimously recommended his confirmation moments after the grueling exercise.

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By: Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post ‘Old age’ won’t stop Amidu from performing – Casely-Hayford appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

They said “we remain disappointed in the decision by Parliament to disregard our proposal for open and competitive appointment of the Special Prosecutor.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”WILiqr5g19xwc6kC6URYcONennKXGRB3”]The Coalition comprises the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), the Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) and Parliamentary News Africa (PNAfrica).

They have been at the forefront of the consultations and citizen engagements in the run up to the passage of the Bill.

Though it welcomes the new legislation as one which “provides an impetus for the fight against corruption”, the Coalition says it will “closely monitor the establishment of the Office and the appointment of the Officers.”

Parliament passed the Bill last week amidst high public expectations for a robust tool in the fight against corruption.

While Civil Society describes the enactment as “a bold step”, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Inusah Fuseini, also said the Bill was “a demonstration of our commitment towards establishing institutions of State that will fight corruption and corruption-related offenses.”

The Special Prosecutor Office was a key promise of the Nana Akufo-Addo 2016 Campaign, and the Office is expected to independently investigate and prosecute corruption and corruption-related offenses among public officials.

It will also be empowered to recover monies from corrupt practices. For this reason, the Coalition insists the appointment processes for the Office must be open and transparent.

Whilst it congratulates Parliament on passing the Independent Prosecutor Bill, the group also urged Parliament to “give similar attention and urgency to the passage of the outstanding anti-corruption Bills, the Conduct of the Public Officers Bill, Right to Information Bill, and the Witness Protection and Whistle Blower Amendment Bills, which are relevant to the work of the Special Prosecutor.”

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By: Sixtus Dong Ullu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Special Prosecutor Bill: CSOs upset over ‘ignored’ proposals appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.