Former Deputy Attorney-General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah has warned that political considerations could undermine Ghana’s fight against corruption if politicians continue to defend members of their own parties while demonising opponents.
Tuah-Yeboah said the handling of corruption cases must be separated from partisan politics if Ghana is to establish a credible and sustainable anti-corruption regime.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Friday (31 July), he said political actors on both sides of the divide often defend their own while criticising similar conduct when it involves opponents.
“We have people in political parties who will defend their own and demonize the opposition, and vice versa,” he said.
He said the current controversy surrounding the Court of Appeal’s acquittal of former MASLOC Chief Executive Officer Sedinam Tamakloe Attionu illustrated the need for a more independent approach to corruption cases.
Tuah-Yeboah argued that civil society organisations and anti-corruption institutions must also be willing to scrutinise governments regardless of which political party is in power.
“In the fight against corruption, I honestly think that if we are able to take off our political hats, and decide that we are going to confront it head on, we can fight it,” he said.
He also questioned the political commitment to corruption prosecutions, pointing to decisions by the current administration to withdraw or discontinue some cases after assuming office.
According to him, such developments can create doubts about whether corruption cases are being pursued consistently.
“If you belong to a political class, if you belong to a ruling government now, and you are found in such an instance, it’s very easy for you to work this critically,” he said.
Tamakloe case should go to Supreme Court
Tuah-Yeboah said the Attorney-General must now demonstrate a genuine commitment to pursuing the Tamakloe Attionu case at the Supreme Court.
He welcomed the decision to appeal but said the Attorney-General must ensure that the appeal is thoroughly prepared.
He urged the lawyers in the Attorney-General’s office to receive the necessary institutional support to mount what he described as a strong appeal.
“I believe in the competence of the attorneys in the Office of Attorney-General. They are DPP and AT. They should be given the support,” he said.
Tuah-Yeboah said he believed the state had sufficient grounds to challenge the Court of Appeal’s decision.
He also rejected attempts to draw parallels between the Tamakloe Attionu case and the prosecution of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, arguing that the two cases are at fundamentally different stages.
“Kemoforiata has not been spared with any charges. He has not been tried. He has not been convicted and sentenced. He has not been extradited to Ghana. He has not gone to court to file an appeal. So why the comparison, if not for political purposes?” he asked.
He said the Tamakloe Attionu case should instead be allowed to proceed through the legal process, with the Attorney-General and the judiciary applying their best judgement.
‘A good result’ would restore conviction
Tuah-Yeboah said a successful appeal would send a strong message that public officials cannot escape accountability for alleged financial crimes by leaving the country and subsequently challenging their convictions.
He urged the Attorney-General to remain open-minded and give the lawyers handling the case the support required to pursue it.
“A good result is to be open-minded on the part of the Attorney General, to be humble, if possible, take charge of the matter and encourage the attorneys to do their job, so that the conviction that can be set aside will be restored,” he said.
He said the outcome of the case would have implications beyond Tamakloe Attionu herself, particularly for public confidence in Ghana’s justice system and the broader fight against corruption.
Source: asaaseradio.com
