Founding President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has jumped to the defence of the Attorney General’s decision to publicly name former officials implicated in a GH¢548 million payroll fraud scandal, describing the move as a necessary act of public education rather than persecution.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV, Saturday, June 15, Cudjoe disagreed with critics who claim the AG was prematurely targeting individuals before trial.
“I am totally opposed to your viewpoint that these persons are being persecuted,” he stated emphatically.
“I think rather we should doff our hats to the AG and his department, who are doing what I call public interest education.
“You see, if you don’t educate the public and carry them along, sometimes even justice could be procured,” he added.
His comments follow a controversial media briefing on Friday, where Deputy Attorney General Dominic Ayine disclosed the alleged payroll fraud, revealing that twelve former officials of the National Service Scheme (NSS) had been implicated.
Notable names include current Minister for Youth and Sports Mustapha Ussif, Ghana Free Zones Authority CEO Osei Assibey Antwi, and National Sports Authority board member Gifty Oware-Mensah.
However, the public naming of suspects sparked backlash from New Patriotic Party (NPP) Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, who accused the AG’s office of bypassing due process.
Ahiagbah argued that such announcements could prejudice public opinion and violate the principle of presumption of innocence.
“Why would the AG convict people in the court of public opinion before filing charges?” he questioned.
But for Franklin Cudjoe, informing the public about high-level fraud and alleged wrongdoing is part of democratic accountability.
