Accra, June 2025 — National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, is urging a major constitutional shake-up to help curb high-level corruption in Ghana.
Speaking at the Anti-Corruption Summit held in Accra on Thursday, Asiedu Nketiah made a passionate appeal to the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) to separate the roles of Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, arguing that the current structure poses a serious conflict of interest.
“We made a mistake by combining the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice roles. It is fundamentally flawed,” he asserted.
“You cannot be expected to prosecute wrongdoing as Attorney-General while also sitting in Cabinet to help formulate and defend government policy.”
One Role, Two Loyalties — A Recipe for Weak Accountability
According to the NDC Chairman, the dual-role arrangement undermines the independence of the Attorney-General and compromises the integrity of the justice system.
“How can one prosecute corruption cases against fellow Cabinet members when they sit at the same policy table? It’s nearly impossible. This setup shields wrongdoers and weakens the system of checks and balances,” he emphasized.
Asiedu Nketia called on the CRC to use the ongoing constitutional review process to recommend the structural decoupling of the two offices — a move he believes would enhance transparency, strengthen accountability, and restore public confidence in Ghana’s governance.
Next Steps for Reform
The suggestion adds to growing calls from civil society, legal experts, and governance advocates who have long argued that merging political and prosecutorial roles undermines justice delivery.
If adopted, the separation would mark a significant departure from Ghana’s current legal framework, creating an independent Attorney-General focused solely on prosecutions, free from political interference.
As Ghana continues to grapple with corruption at various levels, Asiedu Nketia’s proposal presents a bold and timely roadmap for systemic change.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Gumedzo Isaac Acheampong
