Minister of State for Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has defended the Attorney General’s decision to discontinue certain cases, describing them as “frivolous and malicious” rather than evidence-based.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsnight, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu questioned the justification for prosecuting opposition figures like Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, former National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), while ignoring state-sponsored perpetrators of political violence.
“I have always maintained that what justification existed for prosecuting Ofosu Ampofo and leaving out the state-sponsored terrorists who engaged in the mayhem at the Ayawaso West by-election?” he asked.
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu highlighted the disparity in treatment, noting that those responsible for violent attacks at the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election faced no legal action despite a Commission of Inquiry recommending sanctions.
“The government refused to act on it. Rather, it chose to go after the chairman of the opposition party… This was clearly a travesty of justice,” he added.
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu emphasized the need to distinguish between “frivolous, malicious persecution and evidence-based prosecution,” stating that the government should not waste public resources on cases designed to silence political opponents.
“A clear distinction must be made between frivolous, malicious persecution and evidence-based prosecution,” he stated.
Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure has expressed concern that dropping prosecutions involving NDC government officials sets a “dangerous precedent” for Ghana’s fight against corruption.
“For a president vowing to reset Ghana and prosecute government officials who have stolen or caused money to be stolen from the public purse, the mass clearance is a wrong start. It’s a dangerous precedent,” Azure said.
In response to the backlash, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu reassured the public that the Attorney General would hold a press conference to explain the rationale behind the discontinuations, reaffirming the government’s commitment to fairness and justice.