I will suppress and repress corruption – Kissi Agyebeng pledges on first day
The newly appointed Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has reiterated his resolve to suppress and repress corruption in the country.
“As I promised Ghanaians during my vetting, we are going to deliver our mandate as per the Act and LI and ensure corruption is suppressed and repressed to the barest minimum,” he said
Officially marking his first day at work today, the Special Prosecutor said he is committed to ensuring strict adherence to the constitutional provision that established his Office.
Kissi Agyebeng swore the Oath of Office and the Oath of Secrecy on Thursday, August 5 as administered by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House.
After going through vetting by the Appointments Committee, Parliament unanimously approved his nomination.
He becomes the second person to occupy the office after Martin Amidu resigned in November 2020 amidst some controversies.
After being taken around the Office by the Deputy Special Prosecutor, Cynthia Naa Torshie Lamptey, Agyebeng said “[w]e are kick-starting right away”.
Prior to his appointment, Agyebeng had been a lecturer at the University of Ghana Law faculty, teaching and researching Criminal Law, International Humanitarian Law, International Law, Corporate Law, and Legal Research and Writing.
The 43-year-old also holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Ghana and two Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University (Marine and Environmental Law) and Cornell Law School (Corporate Law and Securities Regulation).
He is however more famously recognised as the lawyer for investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
Amidu and the Special Prosecutor role
The role of the Special Prosecutor was designed and legitimised by the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) and comes as part of the Nana Akufo-Addo-led government’s efforts towards prosecuting issues of corruption and financial loss to the state.
Mr Amidu was the first Special Prosecutor from 2018 until his resignation in 2020.
The vocal anti-corruption crusader cited political interference by President Akufo-Addo, amid the recommendations he made regarding the controversial Agyapa Royalties deal.
The aftermath of his assessment resulted in his resignation.
According to Mr Amidu, he received threats for undertaking the corruption assessment on the Agyapa deal.
In his resignation letter, he said, “the reaction I received for daring to produce the Agyapa Royalties Limited Transactions anti-corruption report convinces me beyond any reasonable doubt that I was not intended to exercise any independence as the Special Prosecutor in the prevention, investigation, prosecution, and recovery of assets of corruption.”
“Fear is the enemy of change, and I am prepared from the vacuum created on 12th November 2020 to meet the threats of my demise as the price to pay for serving my country without fear or favour affection or ill will,” Mr Amidu said in his letter.
He insisted that he acted professionally throughout his duties as the special prosecutor and that his conscience was the anchor of his strength to face any consequences.
“I am grateful to every Ghanaian for both the support and criticisms during my tenure. When the real facts of my tenure become well known to the public in the future, history may judge me kindly. Ghana First!” he concluded.