Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has commiserated with family of the late Anthony Akoto Ampaw for his demise, disclosing that the legal luminary was his friend.
In a Facebook post made by the Vice President, he described the late Akoto Ampaw as a man whose “loyalty, frankness and humility were outstanding.”
Dr. Bawumia asked for God’s protection for the family in this difficult times, adding the passing of the lawyer has saddened him.
“I am greatly saddened to hear about the passing of my friend, lawyer Anthony Akoto-Ampaw (Sheyshey). Sheyshey’s loyalty, commitment, frankness, and humility were outstanding.
“I offer my empathy to the Akoto-Ampaw family for this painful loss and pray for God’s protection for them during this difficult period. May the soul of my departed friend find a peaceful rest,” the Veep noted in his Facebook post.
The human rights activist, anti-corruption campaigner and legal luminary passed on at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), on October 20, 2023.
Who is Akoto Ampaw?
Mr. Ampaw was a veteran lawyer who for many years worked at the famous law firm Akufo-Addo Prempeh and Co. He rose through the ranks to becoming a Partner at the firm founded by President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Dr. Edmund Prempeh.
Major cases
The most recent case handled by Akoto Ampaw was the case of John Dramani Mahama v Electoral Commission and Nana Akufo-Addo. This is the case in which the National Democratic Congress 2020 Presidential Candidate John Dramani Mahama challenged the outcome of the 2020 Presidential polls. Mr. Ampaw successfully led a legal team to defend President-Akufo-Addo’s electoral victory.
He also famously represented FixTheCountry convener Oliver Barker-Vormawor during his quest to secure bail when he was arraigned on charges of Treason Felony. This brought into focus his unwavering commitment to human rights for working at the President’s law firm and taking up a case in defence of someone accused of plotting to oust the President.
In 2010, he successfully got the High Court to dismiss charges filed against former Chief of Staff Kwadwo Mpiani and former Chief Executive Officer of Ghana @50 secretariat Dr. Charles Wereko Brobbey. The two were slapped with various charges of causing financial loss to the state following a Commission of Inquiry report that indicted them.
Mr. Ampaw urged the court to dismiss the charges pointing out that it was irregular for a prosecution to be mounted on the basis of the findings of a Commission of Inquiry. This case remains an important legal authority on Commissions of Inquiry and the legal effect of their conclusions.
Outside the court room
Outside the court room, Akoto Ampaw was a Human rights advocate, associating many times with the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development and other groups committed to safeguarding fundamental freedoms.
He recently joined a team of notable advocates to kick against the Anti-Gay bill which is yet to be passed by Parliament.
In the early 1990’s, he was a key member of the Movement for Freedom and Justice which Prof. Albert Adu-Boahen, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Kweku Baako Jnr, Nana Akufo-Addo and others had established to fight for a return to democracy in Ghana.
