A researcher at the University of Cambridge Law Faculty, says the new Special Prosecutor must submit himself to scrutiny that comes with his office.

Oliver Barker-Vormawor explained that this is needed for Kissi Agyebeng to clear himself of all doubts and allegations levelled against him following his appointment.

"Like every public appointee, my good friend must subject himself to the regular scrutiny of the process including specifical questions about the nature of his relationship with some of the cases investigated by the previous special prosecutor," he said.

The comment comes after Mr Agyebeng, a legal practitioner was appointed as the new Special Prosecutor (SP) to replace Ghana's first SP, Martin Amidu who resigned in November 2020 over what he said was undue interference from President Akufo-Addo after a Corruption Risk Assessment he conducted into the Agyapa Royalties Agreement.

Subsequently, he has been cautioned by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to recuse himself from all matters relating to the Agyapa mineral royalties deal if he secures the job.

Anti-graft campaigner, Bright Simons argues that the closeness of Mr. Agyebeng to law firms backed by a cousin to the President, Gabby Otchere-Darko, who is in support of the Agyapa deal is concerning.

Bright Simons has further assured that CSOs will fight him if he touches the Agyapa deal as the Special Prosecutor.

However, Mr. Barker-Vormawor contends that though the Special Prosecutor nominee may not have played any role in the Agyapa deal, the claims which serve as a basis for Mr Amidu's resignation raises questions about the independence of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, thus, he must submit himself to scrutiny.

"I know Mr Kissi Agyebeng to be an extremely intelligent and purpose-driven lawyer who has an acute awareness of the criminal justice system generally. I have no doubt that if he deploys that intelligence and sense of purpose, he will excel in the role if he's given the nod but I think he must submit to scrutuny.

"I think this is not scrutiny that he must shy away from and he must not be quick to view this as something malicious," he said.

"In addition to that, some people believe that Martin made mistakes and his resignation was rushed. I don't necessarily share all the sentiments expressed in that regard, however, whatever difficult view you have of Mr Amidu, you cannot fail to recognize that he did make necessary the independence of the role and he brought that as a significant issue for public debate.

"So it won't be far fetched or necessarily malicious to expect that people will be asking if Kissi has the temperament to sustain or withstand Executive pressure: whether he has the temperament to keep going when the going gets tough and I'm sure he'll come out of the process having convinced many people of his integrity and sense of purpose," he added.

He further urged Mr Agyebeng "to treat anybody who has a different view with respect and decorum" since the role belongs to the people of Ghana who have the responsibility to ask the necessary questions of any body appointed to the OSP.