Senior Lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba Dr. Ahmed Jinapor has charged the Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu to exercise restraint in going public with issues concerning his office.
This comes on the back of comments made by Mr. Amidu to the effect that lack of resources at the Office of the Special Prosecutor is making it difficult for him to work effectively.
He made these comments at the National Audit Forum which was held in Accra during the week. He said there is no legislation in place to guide his work, hence he has resorted to using his “common sense” in executing his duties.
Mr. Amidu also said he is unable to get access to dockets and certain information which he requires to proceed with some cases that are before his office.
Responding to some of these concerns, Attorney General Gloria Akuffo said in an interview on Accra-based radio station Starr FM that she has been in communication with Mr. Amidu, and that his concerns are being addressed by the Chief of Staff.
“I can’t get up and go and buy machines…, and for that reason, the Chief of Staff has taken the responsibility to see to it that these things are done. So if you begin to speak like that, it is as though the impression has been created that I have been virulent in my duty to set up that office. I’m saying that’s not the case,” she said.
According to Dr. Jinapor who was speaking on TV3 New Day on Saturday, September 29, in as much as the Special Prosecutor has the right to demand that his needs are provided, there is the need for him to be circumspect in making some of these demands.
“I think that the approached that he used was a wrong approach. I think Mr. Amidu understands better the Office of the Special Prosecutor, it is not just an Office of an individual, it is a whole institution and an institution of novelty.
“The advice that I will give to Mr. Amidu is that he also has to be very circumspect with the manner in which he comes out with his utterances because when he coughs, people take it up.”
“I think he needs to move beyond this,” Mr Ahmed Jinapor noted.
Dr. Jinapor also noted that it takes a lot of time for all the resources needed in an institution like that of the Special Prosecutor’s Office to be provided.
He therefore charged Mr. Amidu to exercise patience, and make room for all the issues he has raised to be addressed.
“As we speak now, parliament is not in session, so even the timing, if you are asking for a legislation to back it, how are you going to put in legislation when as we speak, parliament is not in session.”
“I think he should have been patient, but as I said, Martin Amidu is such a sophisticated person, that he does not make statements just like that. He makes statements based on attempting to achieve an objective.”
The Senior Lecturer believes Mr. Amidu’s complaints are aimed at getting the appropriate authorities to fast-track the processes of getting the office in shape, “and not just getting it fast tracked, he probably wants to get the attention of the president”.
According to Dr. Jinapor, the move by the Special Prosecutor is also to let the public know why he is unable to work effectively, since the citizens are very concerned about issues bordering on corruption.
“So I think one way or the other Mr. Amidu is trying to court public sympathy; he is trying to get the public on his side.”
Dr. Ahmed Jinapor therefore charged Ghanaians to be a little bit measured in their expectations for the fight against corruption in relation to the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
By Irene Amesimeku|3news.com| Ghana
