Shadrach Korsah Writes: The Appointment Of The Amidu's

‘In 1999 I had the honour of being nominated by Chief Justice Isaac Kobina Abban to come to the supreme court, I declined it......This is to demonstrate that, my acceptance of the position of special prosecutor, is not because of the status, but it is because of the high ideals which are attached to making sure that the ordinary people of this country can have the benefit of the resources of this country by stopping the leakages and seepages that has gone on since the coming into force of the 1992 constitution.....When I left office in 2012, I decided to dedicate myself to the defense of the constitution.....and if you were a member of this assembly (consultative assembly), you will not allow anybody to do anything that is contrary to maintaining the ideals and values of the constitution which we fought to bring in force. It is important that this country is stabilized: it is important that nobody makes excuses to make a coup. The only way we can do that is to protect the national purse’, Mr. Martin Amidu said before the Appointments Committee of Parliament.

However, this article does not directly focus on Mr. Martin Amidu or the office of the Special Prosecutor neither does it intends any political communication. Mr. Amidu has done a lot but the focus is not to talk about his name or personality, but the qualities and values of people appointed to public offices. With public office I do not mean government agencies but any organization or activity that has any effect on human life, even if a private organization.

Max Weber suggests the active consideration of ‘the cause, course and effects of social action’. The ultimate question then is what motivates an individual to engage in an activity either personal or societal? Most people, either in public office or not would only want to be involved in an activity based on the perceived personal benefits and not the actual effects on society. There must be the readiness to serve society without the anticipated gratification of personal interests. I do not opine that people must be morally and professionally hundred percent, but the need of great cautiousness and selflessness. I believe a faultless person is possibly non-existent in the real human existence. The focus must be on measurement and determination of the relationship between the perceived effects by the actor himself and the actual effects on others and society. The reasonable/honourable man (one with society at heart), is very cautious with all actions oriented to others and society.

‘There is now no condemnation’ for the satisfaction of personal interests. After all, Individuals make society, so when the individual is satisfied, society is satisfied. J. J Rousseau’s popular assertion supports this that, ‘man is born free but everywhere in chains’. Applying it in this context, an individual does not just do anything because he has the right or interest, he is however expected to consider in every moment, the effect of his action on others and stability of society. And this I see Mr. Martin Amidu has shown to a greater extent. There is an Akan saying that, ‘what man ought to do is what he has done’ (literally): he has always defended the national interest.

The appointment of people must be based on moral and professional credibility. This talks about people who are reliable or can be trusted based on previous performances and behavioural manifestation. The main point here is going beyond our interests and affiliations (political, tribal etc) to appoint people with societal interest, to serve societal interest.

Society is what we have as human beings and thus by hook or crook, we must make it work. It all depends on the caliber of people we make ourselves and more especially, people appointed to perform some specific responsibilities for society. One good way of maintaining good behaviour is to appreciate appropriate behaviour. This serves as a motivation to the one who manifests that, and at the same time, challenges the others and even the deviant to do good to receive society’s pleasant reactions.

SHADRACH KORSAH
KNUST
Reviewed by
Michelle Naana Kyei-Donkor
Npoange Issahaku Tawanbu