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Ambulance case: Dame must be dismissed and prosecuted – Asiedu Nketiah
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the immediate resignation or dismissal of the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, amidst serious allegations of misconduct.
The party’s demands follow the release of a 16-minute audio recording that they claim implicates Mr. Dame in a scheme to influence court proceedings against the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
The tape allegedly captures a conversation in which Godfred Dame is heard coaching the third accused, Richard Jakpa, on what to say in court, with instructions aimed at discrediting the Minority Leader.
This development has prompted the NDC to question Mr. Dame’s suitability as the leader of the Ghana Bar and his role as the Attorney General.
During a press conference on Tuesday, May 28, National Chairman John Asiedu Nketiah outlined the party’s position, stating, “Considering the scandalous nature of this recording and other forms of evidence we have shown you, we wish to make the following pressing demands as part of the efforts to restore credibility to the Attorney General’s Office and Ghana’s Judicial system.”
“The immediate and unconditional resignation or dismissal of Godfred Dame for bringing the high office of the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice into repute and public opprobrium. Clearly, Mr Dame is not fit to hold himself out as Attorney General and Minister of Justice. He is unfit to be the leader of the Ghana bar,” he stated.
The NDC has also called for the immediate prosecution of Godfred Dame for alleged violations of Ghanaian law, warning that failure to do so by President Akufo-Addo would result in future legal action by an NDC-led government.
Additionally, the party seeks disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Dame by the general legal council and a publicly televised parliamentary inquiry into these allegations and other reports of judicial manipulations by Godfred Dame has also been proposed by the NDC, aiming to censure him and prevent any recurrence of such judicial manipulation.
“The immediate prosecution of Godfred Dame for multiple violations of the laws of Ghana. We wish to make it clear that should President Akufo-Addo refuse or fail to prosecute him, the future NDC government will prosecute Godfred Dame for this heinous crime or fabrication of evidence,” he said.
Mr. Asiedu Nketia called for “commencement of disciplinary proceedings by the general legal council against Godfred Dame and his disbarment for this conduct unbecoming of a lawyer and more importantly the leader of the Ghana bar.”
“… A publicly televised parliamentary enquiry into this and other reports of judicial manipulations by Godfred Dame of the view to sensor him to prevent the recurrence of such judicial manipulation,” he said.
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
