The Project Director of the Democracy Project and a Fellow at CDD-Ghana has contended that impeaching Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng could erode public trust in anti-corruption endeavors.
Dr. John Osae-Kwapong proposed exploring alternative administrative solutions to address the allegations against Mr. Agyebeng instead of immediately resorting to his removal.
He argued that such actions could set a negative precedent and further diminish public confidence in anti-corruption efforts. Dr. Osae-Kwapong expressed these views during a televised discussion in Accra on Saturday, following a petition filed by Martin Amidu, the former Special Prosecutor, seeking Mr. Agyebeng’s impeachment.
Mr. Amidu’s petition alleged various breaches by the Special Prosecutor, including procurement irregularities, abuse of judicial processes, violations of citizens’ rights, and inappropriate personnel appointments.
Dr. Osae-Kwapong questioned whether these allegations constituted sufficient grounds for impeachment. Madam Amanda Akuokor Clinton, a legal practitioner, concurred with Dr. Osae-Kwapong, stating that, except for the procurement issues, the other accusations lacked merit under the Special Prosecution Act 2017.
She specifically dismissed claims of judicial abuse, labeling Mr. Agyebeng’s remarks as measured and academic. Ms. Clinton warned against politicizing the office of the Special Prosecutor and cautioned that removing Mr. Agyebeng based on such accusations could establish a dangerous precedent.
Mr. Alhassan S. Suhuyini, a Member of Parliament, characterized Mr. Amidu’s petition as an attempt to impose his standards on Mr. Agyebeng. He deemed the petition unrealistic and advocated for addressing the issues through alternative means.
“To remove the Special Prosecutor from office, it has to be egregious enough but if there are other administrative remedies to address some of the allegations levelled against him, let’s use them rather than first resorting to his removal from office.
“It doesn’t set a good precedent for the fight against corruption and deepens the already eroding public confidence in the fight against corruption,” he said.
“…as I look at some of the basis, I keep asking myself, do these rise to the level of an impeachable offence for which he must be removed from office?” he quizzed.
“I think aside from the issue of procurement, Mr Amidu’s other allegations do not stand. According to the Special Prosecution Act 2017, the Special prosecutor can be removed for misconduct, incompetence, or actions that bring the office into disrepute,” she said.