Independent Prosecutor likely to have seven-year mandate-Joseph Kpenka
The Deputy Attorney General, Joseph Kpenka has stated that the Independent Prosecutor is likely to have a seven-year non-renewable mandate.
Mr Kpenka said the seven-year tenure is enough to guarantee for the person to be able to secure convictions for persons deemed to have misappropriated public funds.
The Attorney General and Minster for Justice Gloria Akuffo presented the first draft of the Office of the Special Prosecutor bill to stakeholders yesterday (Tuesday, June 27 2017).
She told participants at a meeting in Accra, government wants their honest and sincere views on the draft before it is laid before parliament later in the year.
The office of the Special Prosecutor will have “full authority” to start investigations and finish prosecution of officials found to have been corrupt. There will be no political interference or micromanagement, she touted the security of tenure to be embedded in the law.
Unlike the A-G Department, the Special Prosecutor will have no mixed mandate but a single task to fight corruption.
In a related development the President Nana Akufo-Addo says his government is determined to establish the Office of the Special Prosecutor because it will significantly boost government’s capacity to fight corruption.
He said the proposed anti-graft institution will be independent and will not discriminate in the prosecution of persons involved in corrupt practices.
Speaking to Ghanaian residents in Zambia on Tuesday, the President said drafters of the bill which is yet to reach Parliament have ensured that the Special Prosecutor remains truly independent.
The bill, which is currently at the consultative stage, will go to Parliament after a final draft is presented to Cabinet.
Hans Mensah Andoh/Beachfmonline
Image:Graphic.com.gh
