In a highly charged political standoff, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are at odds over Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame’s alleged misconduct in the ongoing ambulance procurement case.
This case involves claims of impropriety in conversations between Mr. Dame and Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the trial.
At separate press conferences in Accra, both parties articulated their positions.
NDC General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia led the charge, calling for Mr. Dame’s dismissal and prosecution.
He asserted that the NDC has sufficient evidence to establish a criminal case against Mr. Dame, whom he described as unfit for office and deserving of disbarment.
“We are calling for the immediate prosecution of Dame for multiple violations of the laws of Ghana. Should President Akufo-Addo refuse or fail to prosecute him, a future NDC government will prosecute Dame for his heinous crime of fabricating evidence,” Mr. Nketia declared.
The accusations stem from claims by Mr. Jakpa that the Attorney General had approached him to help build a case against former Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson. Mr. Jakpa alleged that Mr. Dame had engaged him to incriminate Dr. Forson, the first accused and current Minority Leader.
In response, spokespersons for Mr. Dame and the Attorney General’s office denied these allegations, asserting that Mr. Dame’s interactions with Mr. Jakpa were lawful and that Mr. Jakpa had repeatedly requested a plea bargain, which was not accepted.
The NDC, however, refuted these claims, presenting a 16-minute audio recording allegedly capturing a conversation where Mr. Dame advises Mr. Jakpa to follow a certain narrative in court to secure Dr. Forson’s conviction.
The party also released purported WhatsApp chats between Mr. Jakpa and Mr. Dame to support their accusations of perjury and professional misconduct.
Mr. Nketia emphasized, “Godfred Dame violently violated the Legal Professional Code of Ethics Rule 2020 L.I 2423 in many ways.
“Professional misconduct by the Attorney General, who bears a high responsibility to adhere to the rules of ethics of the legal profession, is reprehensible and unpardonable.”
Meanwhile, the NPP, in their defense, strongly opposed the NDC’s demands.
Frank Davies, Chairman of the NPP’s Legal and Constitutional Committee, dismissed the allegations as baseless attempts to prevent Dr. Forson’s accountability.
He stressed that the prosecution was based on evidence and not political affiliations, pointing out that Dr. Forson’s legal troubles began before he became Minority Leader.
“We are clear in our minds that the calls for the resignation of the Attorney General are misplaced, unwarranted, and this would not put any spokes in the prosecution of Cassiel Ato Forson and his associates,” Mr. Davies stated.
NPP National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B) defended Mr. Dame, praising his hard work and intelligence, and dismissed the NDC’s allegations as manipulated facts.
As the political drama unfolds, the case continues to be a flashpoint of contention, with both parties steadfast in their positions, highlighting the deep divisions within Ghana’s political landscape over issues of legal integrity and accountability.
