Ayine dismisses NPP ‘ungovernable’ threat

Attorney-General Dominic Ayine has dismissed threats by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to make Ghana “ungovernable”, insisting the government will protect democratic freedoms.

Dr Ayine made the remarks while responding to comments by the opposition party’s National Youth Organiser, Salam Mustapha, over what the NPP describes as intimidation of its members through ongoing investigations.

“As for the threat of arming themselves and making the country ungovernable, I think I will treat it with the contempt it deserves,” Dr Ayine stated.

“But as far as this government is concerned, I want to reiterate that we will respect the rights and freedoms of every Ghanaian.”

The political tension follows remarks by Mr Mustapha during a courtesy call by NPP officials on the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps on Tuesday, May 19.

The NPP youth organiser accused the government of creating fear through investigations and actions targeting persons linked to the previous administration.

According to him, the opposition party would not remain passive while its members were allegedly being harassed by state institutions.

The delegation also raised concerns about recent political developments, which it said threatened democratic pluralism and political tolerance.

Responding to suggestions that the government’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative was failing, Dr Ayine rejected the claims and defended the administration’s anti-corruption campaign.

“You know, it’s very interesting when statements like that are being made — that we are doing this because ORAL is failing. ORAL is not failing,” he said.

The Attorney-General argued that his office had pursued an unprecedented number of corruption-related prosecutions within a short period.

“Go back and check the record. I am the first Attorney-General in the history of the Fourth Republic to have brought five corruption cases in one year,” he asserted.

Dr Ayine maintained that the ongoing prosecutions were putting pressure on opposition figures because of the strength of the evidence gathered by investigators.

“What is happening in court now is rather putting pressure on them because they know that I have been so diligent in my investigations. I have been so diligent in the prosecutions that they are afraid that their people will go down for the acts of corruption that they are engaged in,” he said.

He further insisted the government remained focused on the anti-corruption drive despite criticism from the opposition.

“ORAL is on track and ORAL is going to succeed,” Dr Ayine added.