Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has dismissed threats by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to make the country “ungovernable,” insisting that government remains committed to protecting democratic freedoms while pursuing corruption-related prosecutions.
Speaking to journalists in response to comments made by the NPP’s National Youth Organiser, Salam Mustapha, Dr Ayine said the government would not be distracted by political rhetoric.
“As for the threat of arming themselves and making the country ungovernable, I think I will treat it with the contempt it deserves,” he stated.
“But as far as this government is concerned, I want to reiterate that we will respect the rights and freedoms of every Ghanaian.”
The latest political tension follows remarks by Salam Mustapha, who warned that the NPP could adopt “drastic steps” if what he described as continued harassment and intimidation of party members does not stop.
Speaking during a courtesy call by NPP officials on the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps on Tuesday, May 19, Mr Mustapha accused the government of creating an atmosphere of fear through investigations and actions targeting persons linked to the previous administration.
According to him, the opposition party would not remain passive while its members were allegedly being targeted by state institutions.
Responding to claims that the government’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) anti-corruption initiative was failing, Dr Ayine firmly rejected the suggestion and pointed to ongoing prosecutions as evidence of progress.
“You know, it’s very interesting when statements like that are being made — that we are doing this because ORAL is failing. ORAL is not failing,” he said.
The Attorney-General argued that his office has undertaken an unprecedented level of prosecutorial activity within a short period.
“Go back and check the record. I am the first Attorney-General in the history of the Fourth Republic to have brought five corruption cases in one year,” he asserted.
Dr Ayine further maintained that the prosecutions currently before the courts are causing anxiety within the opposition because of the strength of evidence gathered during investigations.
“What is happening in court now is rather putting pressure on them because they know that I have been so diligent in my investigations. I have been so diligent in the prosecutions that they are afraid that their people will go down for the acts of corruption that they are engaged in,” he added.
He also dismissed suggestions that government was attempting to divert attention from the ORAL initiative.
“ORAL is on track and ORAL is going to succeed,” he stressed.
