Former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame has voiced serious concerns regarding what he deems troubling trends in Ghana’s criminal prosecution and law enforcement processes. His remarks come in light of the recent rearrest of Abdul-Wahab Hanan, the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), along with his wife. This incident has ignited a vigorous public discourse about due process and the integrity of the justice system.
In an interview with Joy News, Godfred Dame criticised the handling of some criminal prosecutions, asserting that individuals frequently endure public humiliation and suffer reputational damage before solid evidence is presented by the state. He emphasised that the case involving Hanan and the other accused raises significant concerns about fairness and the safeguarding of individual rights within Ghanaian law.
Dame expressed his dismay at the legal processes, stating, “After damaging their reputation in the public eye and subjecting them to unjust treatment, proclaiming they have committed theft and similar offences, it turns out there is no evidence to support these claims. When the prosecution becomes problematic, the state opts to withdraw the case and instead resorts to extrajudicial harassment. This is unacceptable.”
His comments underscore the urgent need for reform in how criminal prosecutions are conducted, advocating for a system that upholds the rights of individuals accused of crimes while ensuring justice is served fairly and transparently. The rearrest of Hanan and the accompanying public outcry highlight critical issues that need to be addressed to restore faith in Ghana’s justice system.
By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang
