Celebrating a Ghanaian hero.

Martin Amidu, loved and hated by both political parties when it suits them. Martin Amidu, the legal luminary, the literary craftsman, a man of high integrity. Martin Amidu, the last man who was standing between good and bad, between the light and darkness. He attempted to fight corruption, and like Domelovo before him, corruption fought back fiercely, gnawing its dirty strong teeth into the spine of a man who has spent all his life on the frontline fighting corruption and moulding for himself a light of truthfulness and integrity. Martin Amidu, the man who wrestled and freed himself from the greedy and dirty grips of corruption twice despite grave dangers to himself. Martin Amidu, once the Attorney General who resigned because he could not dig for himself a grave to bury his light.

Two presidents, he resigned from. Two governments he fought corruption and corruption fought back. Always bowing out instead of sacrificing his integrity, sincerity, and honesty. Every time stronger, bolder, wiser, and unstoppable.

There was fanfare when Martin Amidu was appointed as Special Prosecutor in 2018. It was trumpeted as a fact of the incorruptibility of the president. It was supposed to enhance our democracy. Maybe the president had good intentions at the time for establishing this office, which is laudable. Maybe the president thought Martin Amidu would be his errant dog or ‘poodle’ if you like, to be ordered here and there, deleting this and adding that, a ‘yes sir’ man, willing to sacrifice his integrity on the altar of corruption.

Little did they know, like the late Kologo player Asambo once sang “the stick that is used to whip the first wife will be the same stick that will be used to whip the second wife.”

Martin Amidu of yesterday is the same Martin Amidu of today.  It would have been naïve for anyone to think otherwise. He smelled the rot in the government and could not stand the stinking stench of corruption at high places, resisted when the president ordered him to drop it. Martin Amidu refused to be the errant ‘poodle’ for the clearing agent. His analysis of the risk of corruption and anti-corruption assessment of the Agyapa Royalties Limited Transactions is a masterpiece, a phenomenal academic professional work, both in-depth and breadth. This report will become an important historical document for academic research work into the modus operandi of corruption in Ghana.

In African politics, only a few political appointees resign of their own volition. Martin Amidu is of a different breed. He has proven twice to everyone who ever doubted his resolve to fighting corruption. That he indeed has the interest of the nation at heart and is willing to risk his life in the fight against corruption. Though you may hate him now, remember that some time ago you loved him. The goal post hasn’t changed for him, only the players have switched. Martin Amidu’s detailed communications has rendered the damage control a signpost for news headlines but empty in content, just beating about the bush.

If we don’t celebrate men of integrity when they are alive, how else can we encourage others to be courageous in the fight against corruption?  We only hope for the safety of the Ex-Special Prosecutor as he has indicated that he has been receiving threats. Given recent happenings in the country, the safety of Martin Amidu should be the sole responsibility of the president. If anything, so much as a scratch, happens to Martin Amidu, everyone will know who is responsible.

#WeStandwithMartinAmidu.

#Truthandintegrity.

Written by: S.A.A for My Bolga Online.