The publication of the Special Audit Report on Government’s COVID-19 Expenditure has resulted in a war of words between the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah-Dame and the Center for Democratic Development, CDD-Ghana.
Following the publication of the audit report which was carried out under the instructions of Parliament, the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, in a letter to the Auditor-General described the publication as unconstitutional and premature.
Justifying his position, Godfred Yeboah-Dame argued that Article 187(5) of the Constitution requires the Auditor-General to submit his report to Parliament and to draw attention to any irregularities in the audited accounts in that report.
However, the CDD-Ghana in reaction to the position of the Attorney-General indicated it’s strong disagreement adding that the Attorney-General with his power cannot advise the Auditor-General.
According to the Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement of CDD-Ghana, Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante, the Attorney-General’s letter to the Auditor-General is absurd and an attack on the independence of the institution as provided by law.
This position expressed by CDD-Ghana has caused the Attorney-General to hit back describing the stance of the Civil Society Organization as astonishing. According to Godfred Yeboah-Dame, the Attorney General is the primary legal advisor and has every right to advise the Auditor General on matters under consideration.
He further stated that the position of CDD-Ghana is a clear indication of the lack of appreciation of the position of the law hence the unjustified public alarm over issue. He therefore admonished all CSOs in the country to be abreast with the position of the law before making public pronouncements.
“It is astonishing that CDD-Ghana disputes the propriety of the Attorney-General rendering legal advice to the Auditor-General, and construes same as “an interference with the independence of the Auditor General. A proper reading of the Constitution, especially the provisions on the Public Services of Ghana, leads to the inescapable conclusion that the Attorney-General is fully vested with the constitutional function of giving legal advice to all the Public Services specifically listed in Article 190(1) of the Constitution, including the Audit Service, and such other public services as will be established by law,” parts of the Attorney-General’s letter to CDD read.
It further stated that “the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice implores civil society organisations to carefully examine the position of Ghana law on a relevant matter before raising unjustified public alarm over a violation by the Attorney-General or any public institution at all. The default in doing so affects the image of the nation in the eyes of the international community, particularly its anti-corruption ratings”, the letter further read in parts.
