The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has dismissed threats by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to make the country ungovernable over alleged intimidation of its members, insisting that the concerns are being exaggerated.
His comments come a day after the NPP Minority petitioned members of the diplomatic community, urging the international community to reaffirm the importance of freedom of expression, judicial independence and political tolerance in Ghana’s democracy.
Responding to the concerns in an interview with journalists on May 20,, Dr. Ayine maintained that while freedom of speech is protected under Ghana’s democratic system, it must also be exercised responsibly and within the limits of the law.
“As for the threat of harming themselves and making the country ungovernable, I think I will treat it with the contempt it deserves,” he stated.
The Attorney General stressed that the government remains committed to protecting the rights and freedoms of all citizens regardless of political affiliation.
“As far as this government is concerned, I want to reiterate that we will respect the rights and freedom of every Ghanaian,” he added.
The latest exchange reflects rising political tensions between the governing administration and the opposition over issues of political tolerance, free speech and alleged intimidation ahead of future electoral contests.
While responding to concerns about ORAL, the A-G rejected claims that government’s Operation Recover All Loot is not yielding results.
According to him, his office has rather made remarkable progress since he took office as A-G.
“When statements like that are being made that we are doing this because ORAL is failing, ORAL is not failing.
“I am the first Attorney General in the history of the Fourth Republic to have brought five corruption cases in one year. Go back and check the records,” he stated.
Dr. Ayine maintained that the prosecutions currently before the courts are rather causing fear amongst the NPP members who are afraid that their members will be prosecuted.
“What is happening in court now is rather putting pressure on them because they know that I have been so diligent in my investigations. I have been so diligent in the prosecutions that they are afraid that their people will go to jail for the acts of corruption that they engaged in,” he added.
