I Will Work To Suppress And Repress Corruption – Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng
Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng says he will work hard to ensure that corruption in Ghana which he likeness to a pandemic, is suppressed and repressed in the nation.
The Special Prosecutor gave the assurance while addressing the President of the Republic Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, after he swore him into office today the 5th of August 2021 at a brief ceremony held at the 4th floor of the Jubilee House.
“I come into this office and pledge to the people of Ghana as I said exactly two weeks ago, that I am going to work accediouslly with deliberation, to supress, and repress corruption” Kissi Agyebeng said.
*President Akufo-Addo*
President Akufo-Addo in his address after administering the Oath of Allegiance, Official Oath and the Oath of Secrecy to the new Special Prosecutor, said his administration will offer the office of the Special Prosecutor all necessary assistance it needs to fight corruption in the country.
“I want to assure Mr. Kissi Agyebeng like I assureed his predecessor that not only will the executive including the Attorney General, respect scrupisly the independence of his office, but also provide his with whatever assistance will be required to enable him discharge his high duties effectively in the interest of the Ghanaian people” President Akufo-Addo said.
*Appointment timelines*
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Dame, on the 16th April 2021 wrote to President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, nominating Kissi Agyebeng to serve as Special Prosecutor, in line with section 13(1) and (2) of Act 959.
The Appointments Committee of Parliament on Thursday the 22nd of July 2021, carry out the vetting of Special Prosecutor (SP) nominee of President Akufo-Addo and approved his nomination almost immediately after the exercise.
Parliament on the 30th of July 2021, approved the nomination of Kissi Agyebeng as Special Prosecutor, clearing him to take office as the second Special Prosecutor of the Republic since the office was created by an Act of Parliament.
My Agyebeng, leaves private legal Practice as managing partner at Cromwell Gray LLP after nearly 19 years standing at the Ghanaian bar, to serve in his new position.
*The OSP Mandate*
Act 959, which establishes the Office of the Special Prosecutor, spells out three main objectives of the Office, namely: investigate and prosecute alleged corruption or suspected corruption and corruption related offences, recover the proceeds of corruption and corruption related offences, and take steps to prevent corruption.
*Functions of the OSP*
The functions entrusted to the Office are: (a) the investigation and prosecution of cases of alleged or suspected corruption and corruption related offences under the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663);
(b) investigation and prosecution of cases of alleged corruption and corruption related offences under the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) involving public officers, politically exposed persons and persons in the private sector involved in the commission of the offence;
(c) investigation and prosecution of cases of alleged or suspected corruption and corruption related offences involving public officers, politically exposed persons and persons in the private sector involved in the commission of the offence under any other relevant law;
(d) recover and manage the proceeds of corruption;
(e) disseminate information gathered in the course of investigation to competent authorities and other persons the Office considers appropriate in connection with the offences specified in paragraphs (a) and (b);
(f) co-operate and coordinate with competent authorities and other relevant local and international agencies in furtherance of the Act; and (g) receive and investigate complaints from a person on a matter that involves or may involve corruption and corruption-related offences.
From Wilberforce Asare
