Create a State Prosecution Dep’t – Mussa Dankwah on recent cases withdrawn from court by A-G

Mussa Dankwah Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics Mussa Dankwah has said the time has come for Ghana to create a state prosecution department.

This department, he said, would be led by career prosecutors whose work would be devoid of political interference.

Mussa Dankwa was reacting to the recent withdrawal of cases against NDC officials by the Attorney-General- General Dr Dominic Ayine.

In a Facebook post, he said “There is a reason we have been urging the creation of state prosecution department led by career prosecutors. The Attorney General’s department has been used to persecute people in the incoming government perceived as corrupt. There is always an accusation of political persecution.

“Successful governments turned a blind eye and in some cases a deaf ear to the call to separate the AG from State Prosecution because somehow they intend to use the same tool to hunt some people they deemed witches. They only see this flaw when they go into opposition.

“The recent cases the AG have been withdrawing from are the reason why this time around, the AG and State Prosecution has to be split to avoid the accusation of witch-hunting. To date, why have we not seen the OSP file any nolle prosequi even though government has changed? Because of the perceived independence of the OSP and his insulation from political interference, he will continue with the cases he deemed can be prosecuted.

“But, honesty, which government will allow its former officials to be prosecuted by their own Attorney General? How do you expect such cases to be a priority for the new AG and how vigorous do you believe the AG will pursue such cases? Why are we crying when the AG withdraw from these cases? I hope now that we are going to review the constitution, this issue will be addressed once and for all because we don’t want the NDC to accuse any future NPP government of political persecution/witch hunt if some of their people are accused of criminality.”

The government has officially withdrawn all criminal charges against former National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, and the party’s Communications Officer, Anthony Kwaku Boahen.

The Attorney-General, Dominic Ayine, announced the decision, bringing an end to the legal battle that began in December 2019.

The two NDC officials were on trial over a leaked audio recording in which Ofosu Ampofo was allegedly heard discussing plans to instigate crimes and create insecurity in the country, with the intent of blaming the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The tape reportedly outlined strategies such as kidnappings, arson, and verbal attacks on key public figures, including the Chairman of the National Peace Council, Prof. Emmanuel Asante, and Electoral Commission Chairperson, Jean Mensa.

Both Ofosu Ampofo and Boahen had been charged with conspiracy to cause harm, but the case has now been dismissed following the government’s decision to withdraw from the trial.

The two had pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit assault against a public officer, while Ofosu Ampofo also faced two additional counts of assault against a public officer, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Create a State Prosecution Dep’t – Mussa Dankwah on recent cases withdrawn from court by A-G

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