The Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) has expressed disappointment in the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) for its silence over the leaked tape involving the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, and Richard Jakpah, the third defendant in the ambulance purchase trial.
A statement signed by its Executive Director, Mensah Thompson, and issued Thursday, May 30, 2024, says it expected the GBA and the Presidency to have commented on the development considering its embarrassing nature and where it places the justice system in the country.
“Even more worrying than the conduct of the Attorney General, is the silence of the Ghana Bar Association and the Presidency, reducing this troubling development to a banter between the two main political parties,” portions of statement read.
ASEPA criticised the GBA for commenting on issues that are far distanced from its jurisdiction, and leaving out the one which directly bothers on its integrity.
The Alliance’s statement come on the back of the matter involving the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame and Richard Jakpa, an accused person in the ongoing ambulance trial who accused the A-G of meeting him at odd hours to falsify a testimony against the former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
Dr. Ato Forson, a former Deputy Finance Minister and current Minority Leader, is facing charges with two others, including Richard Jakpa, for their alleged involvement in the procurement of faulty ambulances for Ghana.
During cross examination by counsel for the Minority Leader in court Thursday, May 23, 2024, Jakpa was cautioned by the trial judge, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe to be direct in his responses and avoid wasting the time of the court.
In response to the judge’s caution, Attorney-General Yeboah Dame accused Jakpa of defending the Minority Leader.
The accusation prompted Mr Jakpa to retort that the Attorney-General seemed aggrieved because he had previously failed to get him (Jakpa) to help the state build a case against Dr. Ato Forson.
“The A-G has on several occasions engaged me at odd hours to help him make a case against A1 and I have evidence for that.. If he pushes me, I will open the Pandora’s box. I don’t understand why the A-G will accuse me of defending A1 when I’m here to defend myself,” Mr Jakpa said in court.
“If he pushes me, I’ll open the Pandora’s box. I have evidence to all this,” he added.
Contradicting Jakpa’s allegations, Attorney General Godfred Dame asserted that it was Jakpa who had repeatedly reached out, sending several letters to request a plea bargain in hopes of having the charges against all accused persons dropped.
However, the A-G clarified that no agreement had been reached regarding these proposals.
Find below ASEPA’s full statement
30-05-24
PRESS RELEASE
THE SILENCE OF THE GHANA BAR ASSOCIATION ON AG LEAKED TAPE WORRYING – ASEPA
It’s been over 48 hours since the National Democratic Congress released incontrovertible evidence confirming a witness tampering allegation against the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Republic of Ghana and we are yet to see a single statement from the Bar Association either condemning or dissociating itself from the conduct of the Attorney General who is the head of Bar.
In the not so distant past, we have heard the voice of the Bar Association on issues that are of far less implication for our criminal justice system than the current embarrassing spectacle brewing from the AG’s own pot.
ASEPA as a human rights organization that have been advocating for serious reforms in our criminal justice system and promoting judicial accountability, social justice and judicial equity have been scandalized by the conduct of the Attorney General.
For an Attorney General and a Minister of Justice to be caught on tape, deliberately and viciously coaching a witness to adduce false evidence to ascertain a wrongful conviction of a possible innocent accused person in a trial is an ominous dagger in the heart of the very role of a Minister of Justice.
We are therefore adding our voice to the many voices calling on the AG to resign or be sacked by the President, a touted human rights lawyer who claims has fought on the side of people on the other side of the AG’s vicious venom.
Even more worrying than the conduct of the Attorney General, is the silence of the Ghana Bar Association and the Presidency, reducing this troubling development to a banter between the two main political parties.
As a CSO we are aware of the millions of dollars international organizations spend in our Country every year to support CSOs and Governmental Agencies to promote social equality, prevent human rights violations and promote justice delivery, the AG’s conduct has therefore undermined the steady progress we have made in these areas of key interest to our development partners and the international community at large and therefore deserves nothing but utter condemnation from all including the Bar Association and other Stakeholders of the Judiciary.
It will be a further dent on the image of the Country if the Bar Association never finds its often skewed ruthless voice in this ongoing spectacle, everyone is watching!!!
Mensah Thompson
Executive Director, ASEPA
0542120628
