The Presidency says it will not issue any further statement to respond to former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu.
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday, November 17, 2020, responded to allegations levelled against him and his government by Martin Amidu who served as Ghana’s first Special Prosecutor for two years.
In a 9-page response, the President addressed claims such as interference in the work of Martin Amidu, the Agyapa mineral royalties deal and matters arising as well as allegations of the government’s failure to provide the needed resources and funds for the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
But according to the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Mr. Eugene Arhin, that will be the last time the Presidency will respond to Mr. Amidu.
Mr. Arhin explained that the presidency is focused on delivering on its mandate to secure the votes of the Ghanaians in the upcoming December 7 polls.
“The statement put out by the Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, which was addressed to the former Special Prosecutor, Mr. Martin Amidu, will be the only statement from the Presidency on this matter.”
“The President is focused on delivering on his mandate, and securing #4MoreToDoMore on 7th December.”
Mr. Arhin made this known via a post on Facebook on Wednesday, November 18, 2020.
Statement from Eugene Arhin
Background
Martin Amidu on Monday, November 16, 2020, resigned from his position as the Special Prosecutor.
Mr. Amidu in his resignation letter said while he believed that he was executing his mandate independently, the reactions he has received concerning the work make him convinced that he was not expected to exercise his independence as a Special Prosecutor and that makes his work untenable.
The President, Nana Akufo-Addo subsequently accepted the resignation of Mr. Martin Amidu as the Special Prosecutor.
“This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter, dated 19″ November 2020 (Ref: OSP/2/AM/14), addressed to the President of the Republic conveying to him your decision to resign from office as Special Prosecutor, which he has accepted,” a statement signed by Eugene Arhin noted.
Martin Amidu’s decision has been received with mixed reactions with some accusing the president of having double standards in the fight against corruption.
Others have said the Special Prosecutor should have persisted and worked harder to prosecute corrupt officials.
