The North America DemaNaa and Dagbon Youth Chief in the Diaspora, Naa Basha Iddrisu, has called for the immediate resignation of the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, from office.
This follows the Special Prosecutor’s public admission of failure to prevent the former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, whom he declared a fugitive on the grounds of causing financial loss to the state in several dealings, including the construction of the famous National Cathedral and Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA’s) – Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML) from leaving the country.
According to the Special Prosecutor’s recent testimony and public remarks, he said he was unable to stop the departure of Mr Ofori-Atta due to alleged political interference.
This public admission, the traditional leader said, represents a betrayal of his oath of office and a deep violation of the trust and confidence reposed in him by the Ghanaian people.
A press statement issued by Naa Basha noted that the OSP was created to restore integrity and deter corruption. Therefore, the Special Prosecutor’s failure and acceptance of it have gravely undermined the mission of the office.
“If he acknowledges his incapacity to act impartially and fulfil his constitutional duty because of family ties or political pressure, then resignation is the only honourable course,” he said.
Chief Iddrisu recalled in an interview last year in Tamale that the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) campaign message was crucial in securing votes for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He said many Ghanaians voted for President John Mahama because he promised to launch ORAL to recover stolen state assets from individuals who abused their positions.
Therefore, if the Special Prosecutor. whose mandate is to lead that effort, has publicly admitted that the task is beyond him, “then he has no locus occupying the position.”
He stressed that Ghana’s anti-corruption institutions must not serve partisan or familial interests.
“The oath of office is a sacred covenant with the nation, not with individuals. It’s time for accountability, not excuses,” Naa Basha said.
Chief Basha, therefore, appealed to President Mahama to take the necessary steps to relieve the Special Prosecutor of his duties should he fail to voluntarily resign.