Amidu's Appointment Shows NDC Have The Men But...

A member of Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee says the appointment of Martin Alamisi Amidu as the first Independent Prosecutor shows the New Patriotic Party (NPP) does not have the men they claim they have.

Rockson Dafeamekpor says members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) are not worried about the former Attorney General's appointment.

The South Dayi MP described the appointment as “a pleasant surprise” because President Akufo-Addo knew very well Mr Amidu is politically aligned.

"If the NPP finds it prudent to appoint one of NDC's men who they consider very capable of doing the job, congratulations," he said.

According to the legislator, during the consideration of the bill in parliament, concerns were raised about selecting a politically aligned person.

South Dayi MP, Rockson Dafeamekpor
Mr Dafeamekpor said he was astonished after he picked intelligence Thursday afternoon that Mr Amidu will be given the position.

“This is because he continues to be a card bearing member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)…I argued against the proposed names [Akoto Ampaw and Phillip Addison ] that were put up earlier.

“So, on the same principle, I will argue against his nomination and acceptance,” he told Evans Mensah on Top Story on Joy FM, Thursday.

His comments follow President Akufo-Addo’s announcement of citizen vigilante, Mr Amidu as the Special Prosecutor for the newly created office of the Independent Prosecutor.

Quoting the law that set up the office, the president said he has accepted the choice of the Attorney General and will present to Parliament, the name of Mr Amidu for consideration.

Making the announcement at the Flagstaff House, the President commended the public spiritedness of the man widely acclaimed as an anti-corruption crusader, a bulwark in the fight against corruption.

He added that Mr Amidu has a sterling legal career which will work to his advantage in his new office.

He disclosed that even though he wrote at the time parliament was considering the bill, he did not make an appearance to defend his position.

“But we considered the information that he sent to us,” he said.

However, Mr Dafeamekpor also spoke about Mr Amidu’s opposition to the creation of the office he is now going to head.

“As a matter of principle, Mr Amidu has said the creation of the office is going to be an additional bureaucratic albatross on the neck of government.

We will look forward to seeing whether he will bring some level of independence to bear in the way and manner he carries out the functions of his office, he added.