18.01.12 Menas Associates
Attorney General's accusations lead to a political storm
Recent allegations by Attorney General Martin Amidu, that there are senior National Democratic Congress (NDC) government appointees who are committing “gargantuan crimes” against Ghanaians, has led to attacks on him from both NDC members and the
opposition including the minority Peoples National Convention (PNC). The former demand that Amidu resign following his allegations while the
latter demand that he name the guilty individuals. Amidu also complained of
allegedly coordinated attacks from the “rented” press ordered by, or in support of key NDC members, in response to his “gargantuan crime” remarks.
The NDC's discomfort at his claim is illustrated by its deputy general secretary
Kofi Adam's statement that the allegations could harm the party's election
prospects because comments like this “can even cost the party an election, it can reduce and trust that people have
in the governance system” and follow similar criticisms from the Deputy Minister of Information. What led
to Amidu's allegation is unclear but it appears that they may have been in
connection with the Alfred Woyome issue described below. Also perhaps in
response to
criticisms and negative coverage from newspapers - such as the Daily Post, National Democrat and Ghanaian Lens (which he describes as being in the pockets of the NDC) - which Amidu believes
are, at the behest of an unnamed government minister, perhaps unhappy that he
is
pursuing corrupt or “criminal” party members.
Amidu is no party outsider having served as deputy attorney general under the
Rawlings Administration and even being President John Atta Mill's running mate for the 2000 elections. His accusations are therefore re-shining a
light on the NDC's internal divisions are his comments are likely to be used by
the opposition against the government during this election year.
For more news and expert analysis about Ghana, please see Ghana Politics & Security.
© 2012 Menas Associates