Legal heavyweight and anti-corruption crusader Martin Amidu has criticized Attorney-General Dominic Ayine’s revelation that he purchased six heavy-duty printers for EOCO out of his personal funds, branding it a serious ethical violation.
During a session before the Public Accounts Committee, Dr. Ayine disclosed that he had donated the printers to support EOCO’s efficiency, claiming there was no conflict of interest involved. But Amidu, in a strongly-worded commentary, said the gesture flies in the face of good governance and transparency.
He stressed that under the 1992 Constitution, ministers of state are paid with public funds and therefore cannot extend personal resources to entities they oversee.
“When a cabinet minister donates six heavy-duty printers, equipment worth a significant portion of his own emoluments, it raises red flags about motives and accountability,” Amidu argued.
The former Special Prosecutor also pointed out that EOCO’s legal framework under Act 804 clearly defines its administrative independence.
“The Attorney-General has no managerial role in EOCO. His intervention, therefore, risks compromising the autonomy of the agency,” he explained.
Amidu concluded that such acts blur the lines between personal goodwill and political manipulation, warning that they could set a dangerous precedent where state institutions become indebted to political actors.
“Ghana cannot afford to normalize these conflicts,” he cautioned, urging Parliament and relevant bodies to probe the matter thoroughly.
