AG must not be seen as mouthpiece for political projects – Yaw Nsarkoh

Former Unilever executive Yaw Nsarkoh has advocated for reforms in Ghana's prosecutorial system, emphasizing the need for the Attorney-General not to be seen as a mouthpiece for political agendas. Speaking at a JoyNews and An Amalgam of Professionals event in Accra, Nsarkoh highlighted concerns over the current system, where the Attorney-General is appointed by the President and serves at the President's pleasure.

This setup, he argued, raises questions about the independence of prosecutorial decisions, especially in politically sensitive cases. Nsarkoh proposed the creation of an independent prosecutor at a Cabinet-rank level or its equivalent to enhance accountability and reduce the risk of political interference in criminal prosecutions.

He stressed that such a move would eliminate suspicions that the Attorney-General's decisions are influenced by political considerations. Nsarkoh cautioned that this arrangement could make it appear as though prosecutorial powers are being used against political opponents rather than in the public interest. He argued that relying solely on the personal integrity of individuals in the office is insufficient, and that institutional reforms are necessary to safeguard prosecutorial independence.

Nsarkoh stressed that this issue is not exclusive to a particular political party, as successive governments have contributed to the broader governance challenges he addressed. He called for constitutional and systemic changes to protect the prosecutorial process from partisan influence and to bolster public confidence in the administration of justice.