The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has assumed full responsibility for the decision to discontinue several high-profile cases initiated under the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, he emphasised that President John Dramani Mahama had no hand in the decision and did not direct him to drop any of the cases.

He stated that all actions taken were based on his own judgment, balancing public interest with the rights of the accused persons.

“I am keenly aware of the need to balance the public interest in this case against the interests and rights of the accused persons. As Attorney General, I take absolute responsibility for all decisions made so far. I am not under any instructions or pressure to discontinue any case or to bring charges against anyone.

"Those who are in a hurry to label the president as a clearing agent should hasten slowly because he is not responsible for prosecutions and has not directed me to drop any case. Furthermore, with the exception of one bribery charge in the opening matter, for which no evidence was laid, none of the individuals affected by my decision have looted state resources. There is a clear distinction between causing financial loss to the state or misapplying public funds and offenses such as bribery, corruption, or abusing public office for private gain,” he noted.

Among the cases discontinued is that of the former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, now Acting Governor, Johnson Asiamah, who was implicated in the collapse of some banks.

The Attorney General also withdrew charges against former Minority Leader and current Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, along with Richard Jakpa, in the ambulance procurement case.

JKB/AE

In the meantime, watch the story of the Ghanaian team that rode motorbikes from Accra to Dakar and back in 17 days, below: