Editor-in-Chief Kenneth Kuranchie Petitions President Akufo-Addo for Removal of Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng Over Alleged Misconduct

Kenneth Kwabena Agyei Kuranchie, the Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Searchlight newspaper, has formally petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, urging the removal of Kissi Agyebeng from his role as Special Prosecutor.

Kuranchie’s request is based on allegations of misconduct by Agyebeng, including claims that he deliberately violated both his official oath and his oath of secrecy. Additionally, Kuranchie contends that Agyebeng’s actions have the potential to harm the nation’s economy and security.

In a letter to the president, dated October 18, 2024, Kuranchie cited Section 15(1) of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), which outlines the grounds for the removal of the Special Prosecutor.

The section specifies that the Special Prosecutor may be removed for reasons such as misconduct, incompetence, incapacity, willful violations of the Oath of Office or Oath of Secrecy, or actions detrimental to the state’s economy or security.

Kuranchie further accused Agyebeng of having security checks and polygraph tests conducted on approximately 80% of the staff in the Office of the Special Prosecutor. He argued that this was done by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), a foreign agency, rather than Ghana’s National Intelligence Bureau (N.I.B.), which, he claims, is a violation of Ghanaian law.

According to Kuranchie, contracting a foreign entity like the FBI to conduct security checks on staff at a national office is a breach of local laws and constitutes “stated misbehaviour” as defined by the Special Prosecutor Act. He also described these actions as a willful violation of the Oath of Office and a threat to the nation’s security and economy.

Moreover, he pointed out that the involvement of a foreign agency in such matters is also in violation of the Data Protection Act.

Given these allegations, Kuranchie asserts that Agyebeng’s actions render him incompetent to hold the office of Special Prosecutor and, as such, he should be removed from the position.

In response to the petition, President Akufo-Addo has referred the matter to the Chief Justice to determine whether there is a prima facie case for the removal of Mr. Agyebeng.