The President’s Staffer and former General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and Nana Yaa Jantuah has waded into the discussion on corruption and presidential pardons in Ghana justice system.
She argued that the fight against corruption must be devoid of political biases and selective prosecutions. She also questioned the practice of governments pardoning individuals convicted of corruption-related offenses, stating that such actions undermine accountability.
Madam Jantuah raised concerns about the tendency of governments to pardon individuals convicted of corruption offenses when leaving office. She cited past instances where individuals like Hon. Kwame Peprah in 2003 found guilty of crime were granted presidential pardons, which, in her view, created a perception of politically motivated prosecutions.
She questioned the rationale behind such pardons, asking why a government would pardon individuals it had previously prosecuted and convicted. She charged;
“So, then it is clear that—why were they pardoned if they were truly guilty? What we should rather look at is how to ensure that people are not innocently prosecuted. Innocent people are prosecuted and persecuted politically.”
Nana Yaa Jantuah Presidential Staffer
She cautioned against politically motivated prosecutions, arguing that such practices damage the credibility of the judiciary and the justice system. She emphasized;
“That is why we have to make sure that if anybody is being taken to court, it should be clear with all evidence that the person is guilty of a certain kind of corruption or whatever misdemeanor. Before the person is put before court, we must remove political lenses and ensure that the case is purely legal.”
Nana Yaa Jantuah Presidential Staffer
She pointed to instances like the case of the Aveyime Rice Project legal charges where individuals were imprisoned for allegedly causing financial loss to the state, only for later revelations to suggest otherwise. Madam Jantuah stressed that before prosecuting someone for corruption, there must be incontrovertible evidence to prevent wrongful convictions and subsequent government pardons.
In defending former President John Mahama’s stance on corruption, Jantuah asserted that his government never interfered with the justice system and allowed due process to take its course, regardless of political affiliation.
She pointed to cases where Mahama’s government ensured that even its own appointees faced the law. She eulogized;
“I believe Honorable Ayine is a great lawyer. I believe and I know that His Excellency Mahama, if you are guilty, you are guilty.’’
Nana Yaa Jantuah Presidential Staffer
She refuted claims that Mahama’s government selectively prosecuted corruption cases, maintaining that it upheld justice irrespective of political loyalty.
Recovering Stolen Money and Alternative Punishments
Madam Jantuah acknowledged criticisms that Ghana has failed to recover stolen public funds in some corruption cases. She agreed that financial recovery should be prioritized over mere incarceration, especially in a country with limited resources.
However, she emphasized that even when financial restitution is made, there should still be consequences for corruption, proposing non-custodial sentences as a more effective form of punishment. She argued;
“It is still some kind of punishment. It is on your record that you have been charged with something. You might not be incarcerated, but the court has charged you, and you are guilty. Even the optics of it is enough to put somebody off from engaging in corruption.”
Nana Yaa Jantuah Presidential Staffer
Madam Jantuah further suggested adopting plea bargaining practices where individuals who admit to corruption could receive reduced sentences while repaying stolen funds.
“In America, if you go before the judge and they ask you, ‘Are you guilty?’ and you plead guilty, you get a reduced sentence. We should look at some of these things. Bring the money if you are clear that you have stolen money or have been involved in some procurement deal. Bring the money back, and then you will be punished as well but maybe with a minimal punishment.”
Nana Yaa Jantuah Presidential Staffer
Madam Nana Yaa Jantuah’s comments highlight the inconsistencies in Ghana’s fight against corruption, particularly in how different administrations handle corruption cases.
She argued that selective prosecutions and political pardons undermine public trust in the justice system. She also emphasized the need for evidence-based prosecutions, alternative punishments such as community service, and financial restitution in corruption cases.
Her stance presents a broader question for Ghana’s political leadership: How can the country ensure that the fight against corruption is free from political interference and truly serves the national interest?
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