Amidst a growing controversy over allegations of unethical behaviour and witness tampering, several prominent legal experts and a leading think-tank have called for the resignation of Ghana's Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame.
The controversy erupted following accusations by Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the high-profile ambulance procurement case, that Dame attempted to coerce him into implicating Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
This has led to a wave of criticism and demands for accountability from various quarters. Below are some of the critics calling for Dame’s resignation:
Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, University of Ghana Law School
A vocal critic of the Attorney General's actions, Professor Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua from the University of Ghana Law School, has called for Dame's resignation. In an appearance on TV3's Ghana Tonight show, Prof. Appiagyei-Atua stated, “If what the NDC version that I heard is true, it raises a lot of credibility issues for the Attorney-General. The most honorable thing will be for the A-G to resign.”
Bobby Banson, Robert Smith Law Group
Lead consultant for the Robert Smith Law Group, Bobby Banson, echoed these sentiments, advising that Dame should step down to preserve the integrity of the office. “If I were in the Attorney General's position, I would have resigned as a means of preserving the credibility of the office,” Banson stated, emphasizing the gravity of the allegations made by Jakpa during the trial of Dr. Ato Forson.
Kwaku Ansa-Asare, Legal Expert
Joining the chorus of calls for resignation, legal expert Kwaku Ansa-Asare criticized Dame for allegedly attempting to manipulate Jakpa’s testimony. Ansa-Asare stressed that such actions undermine the justice system and warranted Dame’s immediate resignation.
Franklin Cudjoe, IMANI Centre for Policy and Education
Franklin Cudjoe, Founding President and CEO of the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, took to social media to express his disillusionment and call for Dame's resignation. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Cudjoe wrote, "And I am sorry. I was wrong about AG’s inability to do what he has been accused of. Nipa yɛ cobra. He must go." He further lamented, "I was right about the AG. Ato Forson’s trial was political."
TWI NEWS
Background and Allegations
The demands for resignation stem from serious allegations made by Richard Jakpa during his trial alongside Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
Jakpa claimed that Attorney General Dame had approached him multiple times to build a case against Dr. Forson, a claim supported by a 16-minute audio recording released by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The recording purportedly captures Dame coaching Jakpa on how to testify against Dr. Forson, raising significant ethical concerns.
NPP's response
Despite these allegations and calls for resignation, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has firmly backed Attorney General Godfred Dame.
At a press conference, NPP Legal Committee Chairman Frank Davies dismissed the demands for Dame's resignation as unfounded and without merit.
“We are resolute in our belief that calls for the Attorney General’s resignation are unfounded and without merit. These calls will not deter us from pursuing the prosecution of Cassiel Ato Forson and his associates,” Davies asserted.
NAY/OGB
Ghana’s leading digital news platform, GhanaWeb, in conjunction with the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, is embarking on an aggressive campaign which is geared towards ensuring that parliament passes comprehensive legislation to guide organ harvesting, organ donation, and organ transplantation in the country.
