{"id":390883,"date":"2018-01-12T07:58:40","date_gmt":"2018-01-12T07:58:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=390883"},"modified":"2018-01-12T07:59:44","modified_gmt":"2018-01-12T07:59:44","slug":"amidus-appointment-objective-4th-republic-gyampo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2018\/01\/amidus-appointment-objective-4th-republic-gyampo\/","title":{"rendered":"Amidu’s appointment ‘most objective’ in 4th Republic – Gyampo"},"content":{"rendered":"
A Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Ransford Gyampo, has described the nomination of former Attorney General<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, Martin Amidu as the country’s first Special Prosecutor as the “most objective political appointment” in the Fourth Republic.<\/p>\n According to him, the outspoken member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) possesses the qualities needed for the position which was created by the government to lead the prosecution of corrupt state officials.<\/p>\n [contextly_sidebar id=”oGKcc5XZG9pLivrBz1RC12J9mbW94Snk”]Ransford Gyampo,\u00a0who had also suggested the appointment of Martin Amidu to head the Special Prosecutor’s Office prior to Thursday’s announcement, added that Martin Amidu “has the stature, character, competence and objectivity”,\u00a0 to pursue corrupt officials within the current government as well as previous ones.<\/p>\n “I proposed the appointment of a person in the character and stature of Martin Amidu (or Anas) as someone who could do well to surmount the fundamental problem and make some strides in the fight against corruption in spite of the challenges of independence,” Ransford Gyampo wrote.<\/p>\n “This is the most objective political appointment that has ever been made in the history of our Fourth Republic. “If you cant find them in your party, go beyond your party to find them all in the name of serving Ghana.” Not all positions can or must be filled from within.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Several persons had expressed fears that President Akufo-Addo would appoint someone from within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to head the Special Prosecutor’s Office, thereby compromising their objectivity.<\/p>\n However, the appointment of Martin Amidu, a known member of the opposition NDC, will erase many doubts about the neutrality of the Office.<\/p>\n And according to Dr. Gyampo, the appointment of Martin Amidu was one that could be celebrated by all political parties given his tendency to speak out against different governments, including his own.<\/p>\n He also commended the President for his “bold” choice, acknowledging that the appointment was an indication of his commitment towards fighting corruption.<\/p>\n “President Akufo Addo has demonstrated his desire to protect the national interest. I am sure he was opposed about his choice by the hawks and the overly partisan apparatchiks. I congratulate him for this bold step,” he wrote.<\/p>\n “Mr. President, more of these appointments. Appointments that even your political opponents can’t really oppose.”<\/p>\n See the full statement from Ransford Gyampo below:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. The Special Prosecutor suffers from a fundamental challenge regarding autonomy and independence.<\/p>\n 2. In my earlier critique of the move to create a Special Prosecutor rather than an Independent Public Prosecutor, I proposed the appointment of a person in the character and stature of Martin Amidu (or Anas) as someone who could do well to surmount the fundamental problem and make some strides in the fight against corruption in spite of the challenges of independence.<\/p>\n 3. Martin Amidu has the stature, character, competence, objectivity and all it takes to wield the needed DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD in fighting corruption within the ruling party and outside the party.<\/p>\n 4. He has the NAME, MORAL AUTHORITY AND CREDIBILITY as CITIZEN VIGILANTE and I believe he would work to protect not only our money, but also his own name.<\/p>\n 5. This is the MOST OBJECTIVE POLITICAL APPOINTMENT that has ever been made in the history of our Fourth Republic. “If you cant find them in your party, go beyond your party to find them all in the name of serving Ghana”. Not all positions can or must be filled from within.<\/p>\n 6. President Akufo Addo has demonstrated his desire to protect the NATIONAL INTEREST. I am sure he was opposed about his choice by the hawks and the overly partisan apparatchiks. I congratulate him for this bold step.<\/p>\n 7. There would be serious autonomy challenges but CITIZEN VIGILANTE, do your best for mother Ghana under the circumstance.<\/p>\n 8. I am a very proud Ghanaian today and I thank the President for following one of the key pathways to dealing with Winner-Takes-All politics.<\/p>\n 9. Mr. President, more of these appointments. Appointments that even your political opponents can’t really oppose.<\/p>\n 10. Mr. Amidu, I wish you well. Remember how you took people in your own party on. Take appointees of this administration on when necessary to give you the audacity to prosecute those who aren’t in government when you have the evidence.<\/p>\n God bless our homeland Ghana.<\/p>\n Yaw Gyampo. The appointment of Martin Amidu as Special Prosecutor, pending Parliamentary approval, has been hailed by\u00a0experts<\/strong><\/a> and ordinary Ghanaians<\/strong><\/a> as a ‘masterstroke’ by the President.<\/p>\n
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