By Ashiadey Dotse
President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has called on former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame to respond to a petition accusing him of professional misconduct.
The petition, sent to the Ghana Legal Council by a private citizen, Mr. Daniel Kwame Ofosu-Appiah , has raised serious concerns about Dame’s conduct during his time in office concerning the criminal trial of Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Richard Jakpa and one another, where he alleges that Mr. Dame attempted to improperly influence a key witness in the case Mr. Richard Jakpa, the third accused in a manner that compromises the fairness and integrity of the judicial process.
Speaking in a recent interview on TV3’s Keypoint show on Saturday May 24, 2025, Mr. Cudjoe emphasized that the allegations are not just political attacks but issues of personal responsibility. He stated that Mr. Dame must answer for his own actions and should not hide behind claims of political persecution.
“These are not mere allegations in my view. They are direct actions that challenge the integrity of our legal system,” Mr. Cudjoe said. “This is not about the sins of a former government. It’s about the personal choices he made as Attorney General.”
Mr. Cudjoe further criticized what he described as Mr. Dame’s aggressive pursuit of high-profile political cases, which he believes were more about pleasing political leaders than seeking justice. He questioned whether Dame acted as a true Minister of Justice or was more focused on targeting political opponents.
“I was shocked listening to his behavior in court during some of these cases. A Justice Minister should uphold fairness and respect, not throw his weight around,” he said.
He also expressed disappointment in Dame’s reported role in attempting to influence court proceedings, including coaching a witness to lie, an act Cudjoe described as “treasonous.”
While emphasizing the seriousness of the accusations, Mr. Cudjoe insisted that Dame should be given the chance to defend himself fairly, in accordance with the law.
“This is a matter of law and justice. He must be treated with the respect due to a former Attorney General, but he must also face the consequences of his actions if found guilty,” he said.
