I will establish office of Special Prosecutor in first 6 months of my govt - Akufo-Addo

The 2016 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NNP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has disclosed that his government shall establish an Office of Special Prosecutor within the first six months of his administration, when, God willing, he wins this year’s election. 

According to Nana Akufo-Addo, the Special Prosecutor, to be established by an Act of Parliament, would be independent of the Executive, and possess “an exclusive remit to investigate and prosecute certain categories of cases and allegations of corruption, including those involving alleged violations of the Public Procurement Act and cases implicating political office holders and politicians”.

Witch-hunting

Prosecutions of such persons, he stressed, “will no longer be tainted by perceptions of witch-hunting and selective justice”. 

The NPP flag bearer made this known on Monday, while addressing the 16th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Abetifi, Kwahu, in the Eastern Region.    

Announcing a raft of measures to deal with “the toxic issue of corruption”, Nana Akufo-Addo, who was the Special Guest at the General Assembly, explained that a successful Ghana could only be built on the basis of good governance, underpinned by efficient and honest public services, which requires successful elimination of corruption. 

In order to restore Ghana’s reputation, which, sadly, over recent years, has become a byword for corruption, the NPP flag bearer stated that firstly, he, together with his team, would give the requisite leadership, which is lacking under President Mahama. 

“Public service is for me exactly that – public service. Anyone who joins my team to make money out of public office will not be welcomed. Money is made in the private sector, not in public office. I will be strict in my supervision of this principle,” he assured. 

Public Procurement Act 

Secondly, Nana Akufo-Addo stressed that his government would be scrupulous in enforcing the provisions of the Public Procurement Act (Act 663), which confines sole sourcing of public contracts to exceptional circumstances, and not the norm as is the case under the Mahama government.

“Inflated contracts, which are currently the bane of our public finances, will be things of the past. Competitive bidding is the best protection of value for money in our public transactions, and will be the consistent mechanism for undertaking such transactions. The era of sole sourcing will come to an end,” he said.

The NPP flag bearer further added that an efficient and honest reordering and prioritisation of the country’s public expenditure “will enable us to devote more resources to enhance the capacity of our anti-corruption agencies. It is essential that they have the means to lead the fight against corruption”.      

He continued, “We will support all moves to give Parliament greater oversight capability over the activities of the Executive. This will give true meaning to the principles of separation of powers and accountable government.” 

Nana Akufo-Addo, therefore, appealed “to the Presbyterian Church to give critical support to the next NPP government, God willing, as it undertakes these crucial steps. Our very future depends on their success.”

With barely a little over three months to this year’s election, the NPP flag bearer asked for prayers for the peace of the nation, so that the country would emerge from the election as a more united country.

“Add prayers for God’s guidance to members of the Electoral Commission, so they can make transparent and fair arrangements for the electoral contests to enhance the stability of our country. And please pray for the NPP and myself, that I will be given, by Almighty God, wisdom, strength, courage and compassion to enable me to carry out my duties as a good leader.”