Mahama’s discontinuation of court cases undermines anti-corruption fight – Manasseh Azure

Investigative journalist Manasseh Awuni Azure has criticized President Mahama’s decision to discontinue several court cases involving officials from the previous government, arguing that it undermines Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts.

The ace journalist shared his strong views on Mahama’s administration’s decision to halt those cases in a Social media post on Monday, February 19, and added the move set a dangerous precedent and weakened accountability and the fight against corruption.

“For a president vowing to reset Ghana and prosecute government officials who have stolen or caused money to be stolen from the public purse, the mass clearance is a wrong start. It’s a dangerous precedent,” Azure stated.

Manasseh Azure argues further that the Mahama administration discounting the case means the government is protecting public officials who should be answering for their actions in court.

Azure added: “A majority of the cases, however, border on corruption and charges of causing financial loss to the state. For a president vowing to reset Ghana and prosecute government officials who have stolen or caused money to be stolen from the public purse, the mass clearance is a wrong start. It’s a dangerous precedent.

“What President Mahama is telling the NPP officials his administration will charge is very simple: if you are charged, drag the case as long as you can, and if your party comes into office, the court process will be truncated, and you will be set free.

“This does not portend well for accountability. This dangerous precedent defeats Mahama’s resolve to fight corruption and defeats such future endeavours. For a president whose administration began the prosecution that resulted in the jailing of its own party people in the GYEEDA scandal, this is a new low and a faulty step.

“The Attorney-General must not truncate prosecution just because he has the power to do so. That power belongs to Ghanaians and must be exercised in our interest.

“The courts should be allowed to deal with the evidence and decide on the guilt or innocence of the persons charged. In some cases, the state lost vast sums of money, and we should have answers. “

The concerns raised by Manasseh Azure highlight the need for transparency and accountability in governance. It is essential that the government takes decisive action against corruption and ensures that those in power are held accountable for their actions.