Former President Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings
Former President Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings has noted that the selection of Martin Alamisi Burns Kaiser Amidu as Special Prosecutor is an indication that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is serious about fighting corruption in the country.
Mr. Amidu, a former Attorney General and Minister for Justice – who is a key member of the National Democratic Congress – (NDC), subject to parliamentary approval, is expected to become Ghana’s first Special Prosecutor – an office created in fulfillment of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) manifesto pledge.
He underwent about eight hours of vetting before the Appointments Committee of Parliament last week and sources say he received overwhelming endorsement by members of the committee.
So far, it is Alhassan Suyuhini, NDC MP for Tamale North, who claimed on radio that he voted against Mr. Amidu’s approval; but the massive support for the incoming prosecutor appeared to make his eventual approval a mere formality.
Serious President
Former President Rawlings, in a meeting with the Ambassador of Japan, Tsutomu Himeno, said, “The appointment of Amidu as Special Prosecutor from outside his own party shows the president is serious.
“It vindicates some of us,” he said, whilst making a case for Japan’s continuous assistance to Ghana.”
He maintained, “No developed country should hold back in assisting our country to improve the lives of our people.”
International Matters
The former president also discussed issues of globalization and the current world order with the Japanese Ambassador.
“The inequalities created by capitalism and the impunity of political power may be leading to the emasculation and helplessness of the mass of people on the one hand and on the other, it will no doubt and definitely be triggering outrage, anger and hatred which translate into acts of violence, suicidal tendencies, terrorism and pockets of political instability,” Mr. Rawlings said.
He said Japan is holding on to its enviable position as a leading developed country because Japanese culture prohibits impunity.
“Others need to learn a few lessons from countries like Japan, China, South Korea and a few others that have held on to the humility of power. The culture of respect for the people is what has helped to prevent the arrogance of power,” he emphasized.
“Though our culture of respect is not supposed to be any different, we have not been able to prevent impunity.”
The former president said, “It is about time we woke up to the negatives of the savagery of capitalism and tyranny of the misuse of wealth.”
Mr. Rawlings extended a message of good wishes from his family to Emperor Akihito and his family as well as Professor Hishashi Owada, former diplomat and currently a member of the International Court of Justice.
Numerous Projects
Responding, the Japanese Ambassador recounted the numerous projects his government has been embarking on in Ghana and said the people of Japan are appreciative of the relationship with Ghana.
He mentioned the role being played by the Noguchi Memorial Institute and the untiring effort of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as some of the efforts of the government of Japan.
Congratulatory Message
In the heat of Mr. Amidu’s nomination by the NPP government, the former president, who is the founder of the NDC, sent a congratulatory message to President Akufo-Addo on rising above ‘partisanship’ to appoint Mr. Amidu, whom he described as ‘fearless’ and ‘a highly principled citizen.’
Mr Rawlings had said Mr. Amidu is the right person for the job, explaining, “Mr. Amidu has proven to be a fearless anti-corruption crusader whose pursuit of truth and justice has won him national admiration. The President couldn’t have made a better choice.”
By William Yaw Owusu