Parliament has passed the Office of the Special Prosecutor Bill after its third reading.
The Bill was passed amid debate over whether the Special Prosecutor should be immune from prosecution.
The setting up of the office of the Special Prosecutor was one of the key campaign promises made by President Nana Akufo-Addo ahead of his election victory in 2016 and it is aimed at tackling corruption.
When operational, the Special Prosecutor’s office will be independent of the Executive, which observers believe will allow it to adequately deal with corruption-related issues which have plagued past governments.
This Bill is expected to, among other things, define the modalities for the appointment and operations of the Special Prosecutor.
The office of the Special Prosecutor will have the mandate to investigate and prosecute cases of alleged corruption under the Public Procurement Act 203 Act 63 and other corruption-related offenses implicating public officers, political office holders and their accomplices in the public sector.
The Prosecutor will also be mandated to trace and recover the proceeds of corruption.
A Ranking Member on Parliament’s Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Inusah Fuseini noted to Citi News, after the Bill’s passing, that it was now awaiting President Nana Akufo-Addo’s assent.
“What has happened tonight is a demonstration of our commitment towards establishing institutions of State that will fight corruption and corruption-related offenses.”
Mr. Fuseini said the Bill was intended to be passed today [Tuesday] “so that it can find space in [the 2018] budget” which will be read on Wednesday.
“Now the ball is squarely within the court of the NPP and they have to help the institution of State and especially the office of the Special Prosecutor to fight corruption,” he added.
Source: otecfmghana.com
