Godfred Yeboah Dame, State Attorney and the Minister for Justice has underscored the need to address issues related to corruption allegations, especially the ones pertaining top government officials and public officeholders void of sentiments and emotions.
Godfred Dame’s statement comes on the heel of the recent backlash his outfit has received over the ministry’s advice to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to discontinue alleged money laundry investigations involving the former Sanitation Minister, Madam. Cecelia Abena Dapaah.
It is recalled that, the Office of the Special Prosecutor referred Cecelia Dapaah’s case to EOCO with reason being the case is an alleged money laundry case, explaining that such cases fall within the jurisdiction of EOCO.
EOCO then wrote to the office of the Attorney General seeking advice into the case laid before them, however, in a response, the Attorney General advised EOCO to discontinue the money laundry case due to what the office believes to be a lack of detailed information from the OSP regarding the charges leveled against the former sector minister.
Speaking on behalf of the President at the 14th Commonwealth Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa, Mr. Dame further emphasised the need for transparency in the fight against corruption and corruption related cases.
“The fight against corruption also requires honesty and integrity in the disclosure of results. There must be an avoidance of sensationalism by all parties involved; investigative bodies, civil society and the public. It augers well for the fight if the results of corruption allegations against public officers, particularly senior members of government which are refuted and unsubstantiated, are fully put out by investigative bodies’’, he said.
Mr. Dame added, “Investigative bodies must be honest and bold enough to disclose to the public the full results of investigations into allegations of corruption against members of the government which turned out to be untrue’’.
“This is one sure way to boost the confidence of the public in their government, reduce their suspicion, distrust, and cynicism with which the public views officeholders.”
The Attorney General further proclaimed that the impression held by many that public officeholders are corrupted should be dismissed.
“There is a truism that not every public officeholder is corrupt and investigative authorities must discard the view that the only way to stay relevant is by keeping the flame of allegation of corruption against public officeholders burning, even if same to journalists are unfounded and without basis,” he stressed.
