Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has spoken candidly about the challenges of his role in keeping colleague ministers in check while upholding the law.
Addressing the Annual Bar Conference in Kumasi on Monday, September 9, he highlighted the critical role of public legal service in effecting change in society, despite the difficulties that come with the position.
“Being an Attorney-General in the second term of a government is no easy task,” Mr Godfred Dame said.
“It involves coming in at a time when government has implemented policies and made tough, often unpopular decisions.”
He acknowledged that his job often requires him to confront fellow ministers about their legislative ambitions, even when those decisions are in the national interest.
“As the Attorney-General, it involves making yourself unpopular by telling your colleague Ministers that they cannot pursue certain legislation and policies which, although in the national interest, may be incompatible with the law,” he noted.
Reflecting on specific instances, Dame recounted, “I remember the painful opinion I gave to the Minister for Finance on the domestic debt restructuring at a difficult time for the nation and the advice I gave to the Minister for Health during the COVID-19 crisis.”
He explained that these were not easy decisions but were necessary to uphold the rule of law.
Godfred Dame also discussed the political risks associated with his role, noting that some decisions have made him “a sworn enemy” of political adversaries.
“In our peculiar political environment, it involves pitching yourself against political adversaries through decisions you make that they may consider as impinging on their political fortunes,” he explained, referencing his stance on prosecution and the defence of civil actions against the government.
Despite these challenges, Godfred Dame expressed his dedication to his duty and the law.
“I have braved the challenges of the office and remained undaunted, because I love the law, and I love utilising the law as an instrument for developing Ghanaian society,” he stated.
He also addressed criticism from the media, saying, “With courage and strength, I have taken the slings and arrows of a critical free media, even when they are unjustified or wrong.”
Mr Dame reflected on his accomplishments since taking office, stating, “Whatever I have done since 2021, I have done it in the best interests of Ghana and the state attorneys and staff at the Law Office. I could not be prouder of our record of achievement over the last three and a half years.”
He also noted with satisfaction that he has delivered on every promise he made to the Bar, and in some cases, exceeded expectations.
The Attorney General’s remarks come against the backdrop of the conference’s theme, “Peaceful, Fair and Transparent Elections: The Key to Sustainable Democracy.”
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