The Minority Caucus in Parliament has criticized the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame in what it described as unwarranted attacks on the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Honourable Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin.
The Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Ajumako Enyan Essiam Constituency, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson in a press statement in a sharp rebuttal to Mr Dame’s letter to the Speaker of Parliament, described it as a vindication to the Speaker of Parliament’s decision to suspend President Akufo-Addo’s nominees for Ministerial and Deputy Ministerial position.
According to Dr Forson, the Attorney-General’s letter to the Speaker of Parliament was characterized by several claims that were inconsistent and partisan.
Touching on the interlocutory injunction filed by Rockson-Nelson K. Este Defeamekpor against the Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney-General, the Minority Leader posited that the Speaker of Parliament acted prudently by upholding the pendency of the relief, as indicated in the writ of summons served on him.
He argued that the Attorney General’s attempt to fault the Speaker’s ruling lacks merit and fails to consider the legal context surrounding the case.
“The Attorney General’s claim that Mr Speaker erred because there was no injunction in respect of the above–named suit is not borne out of the facts.
“The Speaker of Parliament rather stands vindicated in his decision to err on the side of caution, in view of the expressed injunctive relief that had been stated in the writ of summons, a copy of which was duly served on the RT. Honourable Speaker on the 19th of March, 2024”
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Minority Leader
Furthermore, the Ajumako Enyan Essiam lawmaker recounted what he described as a pattern of discrepancy in the actions of President Akufo-Addo, who according to him purportedly cited a non-existent court case as grounds for delaying the assent to the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.
Dr Ato Forson pointed out that President Akufo-Addo’s reliance on what he considered erroneous information to justify his refusal to assent to the bill contrasts sharply with the Speaker’s adherence to legal procedures and due process.
He strongly asserted that the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Honourable Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin demonstrated fidelity to the law, unlike President Akufo-Addo, who acted on what he described as “flawed advice” from the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame.
Decoupling Of A-G From Ministry Of Justice
Moreover, the Minority Caucus in Parliament chastised the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame for prioritizing partisan interests over the national interest.
The statement accused him of exhibiting arrogance and unbridled partisanship in the discharge of his duties, likening his behaviour to that of a “regime lawyer”.
The statement also stated that there is a lack of confidence in Mr Dame’s ability to serve impartially as both Attorney General and Minister of Justice for the country.
Drawing on the above concerns, the Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Ajumako Enyan Essiam Constituency, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson called for the urgent decoupling of the positions of Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
He strongly asserted that the recent events and the conduct of Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice under the New Patriotic Party administration underscore the need to separate these roles to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure impartiality in the administration of justice in the country.
The statement stressed that the conduct of Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame as Attorney General and Minister of Justice epitomizes all that is inherently wrong in keeping both positions in the same person.
READ ALSO: Ghana’s Fight Against Corruption Foils As A-G Fails To Comply With PAC Report
