President Nana Akufo-Addo has said he nominated former Attorney General Martin Amidu as the first Special Prosecutor so he can put the “fear of God” in public officials.

Speaking to journalists at his second encounter with the press on Wednesday, 17 January at the Flagstaff House, the president said: “I’m well aware of the general sense of anxiety in the country and the strong feeling that politicians tend to get away with corrupt practices. Bold as Mr Amidu is, I do not expect he will provide all the answers with dealing with the phenomenon of corruption by public officials. But I do believe that the least, the office, will remove the fear of partisan prosecution and begin to put the fear of God in all public officials who are intending to go down the path of corruption.”

He added that “current office holders are as likely to be investigated and prosecuted by the Special Prosecutor if a case is made against them as past office holders.”