A staunch supporter of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Patrick Kwarteng Sarpong, has launched a scathing attack on Mensah Thompson, Executive Director of the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), over his recent allegations against former government officials.
Sarpong did not hold back in his criticism, describing Thompson as “very dumb” and unfit to participate in discussions.
Sarpong expressed his dismay at Thompson’s approach to public discourse, questioning how he could draw conclusions of guilt against Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and Bank of Ghana Governor Ernest Addison based on mere allegations.
According to him, such claims should not be taken seriously unless they have been thoroughly examined and proven in a court of law. “How do you conclude that Ken Ofori-Atta is guilty by merely asserting that you have a so-called dossier on him?”
Sarpong further criticized Thompson’s claims against Addison, stating that merely possessing documents on the central bank governor does not equate to proving criminal wrongdoing.
He found it troubling that such accusations were being made on national radio.
“You have a dossier on Ernest Addison and that constitutes a crime? God have mercy! And this one is on the radio speaking to Ghanaians?”
Patrick Kwarteng Sarpong
The NPP loyalist maintained that allegations alone do not establish guilt, especially in the absence of judicial proceedings.
He accused Thompson and his associates of deliberately creating a narrative of wrongdoing without any concrete legal backing.
“When did mere allegations become guilty verdicts when the same has not been proven against the people in a court of competent jurisdiction?”
Patrick Kwarteng Sarpong
Sarpong went on to argue that this strategy was frequently employed by individuals affiliated with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He claimed that they often made unfounded allegations but struggled to provide concrete evidence when their cases were brought before the courts.
According to him, this pattern was evident in the way NDC supporters reacted to legal defeats, often directing their frustration toward the judiciary.
He asserted that instead of accepting court rulings based on merit, they resorted to attacking judges when verdicts did not go in their favor.
Sarpong also took aim at Mensah Thompson, urging him to adopt a more thoughtful and responsible approach to public discourse.
He criticized Thompson’s statements as reckless and lacking substance, calling on him to engage in more meaningful discussions rather than making baseless assertions.
A Call For Proper Legal Procedures
Sarpong stressed that if Mensah Thompson had any credible evidence of wrongdoing against Ken Ofori-Atta or Ernest Addison, the appropriate and lawful step would be to submit it to the Attorney General for thorough investigation and possible legal action.
He argued that making unsubstantiated claims in the media or engaging in political rhetoric would not lead to justice or accountability.
Instead, he urged Thompson to follow due process by presenting his evidence through the proper legal channels.
Sarpong further suggested that if Thompson truly believed in the legitimacy of his allegations, he should seek support from his party leadership to formally pursue the matter through the judicial system.
“The Fiscal Responsibilities Act had to be abandoned because of the emergency situation we found ourselves in. We never anticipated COVID-19, which necessitated the act being pushed aside by Ken Ofori-Atta.”
Patrick Kwarteng Sarpong
In a strong final rebuke, Sarpong firmly asserted that neither Mensah Thompson nor any other political figure had the authority to declare an individual guilty without due legal process.
He emphasized that in a democratic system governed by the rule of law, only the courts have the jurisdiction to determine guilt or innocence based on credible evidence and fair trial procedures.
Sarpong criticized what he saw as a growing trend of politically motivated accusations being treated as verdicts in the court of public opinion.
He cautioned against bypassing legal institutions in favor of personal or partisan judgments, reminding Thompson that the Attorney General’s role is to prosecute cases, not to pronounce guilt.
He urged all parties to respect the judicial system and allow it to function without undue political interference.
His comments reflect a broader issue of political discourse in Ghana, where accusations and counter-accusations frequently dominate public debate.
The call for fact-based discussions and adherence to due process in matters of accountability remains crucial in maintaining trust in democratic institutions.
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