Kissi Agyebeng’s comment could undermine institutions underpining Ghana’s democracy – Dr Osae-Kwapong
A Political Scientist of Democracy and Development and a Fellow at CDD-Ghana, Dr. John Osae-Kwapong, has asked Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng to be circumspect in expressing his frustration towards the judiciary.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsfile, Dr. Osae-Kwapong said the Special Prosecutor’s utterances could undermine the institutions that underpin the democracy of the country, particularly at a time when the institutions are experiencing an all-time low public trust and high negative perception.
His comments come after Mr Kissi Agyebeng on Wednesday took on the judiciary for some rulings made concerning suspected corruption and corruption-related cases being investigated.
According to him, the court is exhibiting some disregard for his office’s powers with what he sees as hasty dismissiveness of its cases.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, the Special Prosecutor rubbished arguments made by the court that the OSP breached the law in the handling of these cases.
Although some support the channel in which Mr Agyebeng chose to voice his dissatisfaction, the political scientist, stressed the importance of expressing frustration in a manner that does not compromise the integrity and character of the institutions.
“I agree that there are key differences between the Attorney General and the Special Prosecutor but for me, I worry about the kinds of public conduct whether it is word or attitude that may undermine the institutions that underpin our democracy; that is my worry.
“There is a way of expressing one’s frustration with an institution without creating dissatisfaction or seeming to impugn the character and integrity of the institution,” he said on Saturday.
While acknowledging that the institutions are not blameless in the current state of public trust, he emphasised the need for the Special Prosecutor to express frustration without further eroding public trust in institutions already grappling with negative perceptions.
“The office of the Special Prosecutor in that role and making the type of comments that he is making publicly would undermine an institution that is already battling negative public perception and trying to regain public trust,” he told host Samson Lardy Anyenini.
Source: Ghana News
