Franklin Cudjoe, the Founding President of IMANI-Africa, has expressed his concerns regarding the Ghana Bar Association’s (GBA) apparent lack of response to the serious allegations made against Attorney-General Godfred Dame. The accusations, which involve the alleged coercion of a witness in the ongoing trial of Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and businessman Richard Jakpa, have raised questions about the integrity of the legal process.
In a recent Facebook post, Franklin Cudjoe described the GBA’s silence as “eerily discomforting” and suggested that the allegations, supported by a leaked audio recording of a phone conversation between Dame and Jakpa, amount to treachery. He addressed comments made by others who argued that it is difficult for the GBA to reprimand or advise one of its own members, especially a senior figure like the Attorney-General.
Cudjoe challenged this notion, emphasizing that the GBA is a civil society organization composed of civilized members who should be able to distinguish right from wrong. He characterized the alleged actions of the Attorney-General as “treacherous, invasive, maniacally, and Machiavellian,” highlighting the serious nature of the accusations.
Furthermore, Cudjoe raised concerns about the potential frequency of such questionable practices in securing prosecutions and judgments. He likened the defense of the Attorney-General’s alleged actions to defending priests who engage in the sexual abuse of young boys, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
The allegations against Godfred Dame stem from the ongoing trial of Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa. The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has provided evidence, including a 16-minute audio recording of a phone call conversation between Dame and Jakpa, to support their claims of unethical and unprofessional conduct by the Attorney-General.
According to the allegations, Dame had meetings with Jakpa to discuss implicating Dr. Ato Forson, with the goal of securing his imprisonment. The Attorney-General has strongly denied these claims, and the matter is currently the subject of cross-examination in court.
As the trial progresses and the allegations continue to be investigated, the silence of the Ghana Bar Association has come under scrutiny. Franklin Cudjoe’s comments have added to the growing calls for the GBA to address the serious nature of the accusations and ensure that the integrity of the legal system is maintained.
The outcome of this case and the response of the GBA will have significant implications for the public’s trust in the justice system and the accountability of those in positions of power. It remains to be seen how the GBA will navigate this delicate situation and whether they will take a stand against the alleged misconduct of one of their prominent members.
