Who Rattled The Attorney-General’s Cage?

Somebody seems to have rattled Attorney-General Mr Martin Amidu's cage. And it appears he is on a war path with those he claims are his detractors, to redeem his image as the chief legal advisor to the government after he came under heavy criticisms by a section of the media for non-performance as a minster.

His response to media publications which he claimed sought to impugn his integrity was scathing.

“I wish core members and supporters of the NDC who cherish the principles and ideas upon which the party was founded to know that the attacks against me which started in the Daily Post publications of the 3rd January 2012 were planned by a colleague Minister of State, who perceived that my integrity and professionalism as a lawyer was a threat to the concealment of gargantuan crimes against the people of Ghana in which they might be implicated. An alibi was consequently created on 30th December 2011 to unleash the gullible section of the NDC press on me by the leakage of official documents from my ministry through the perverse section of a rented NDC press to the pubic beginning the 3rd of January 2012,” part of his statement read.

Martin Amidu again pointed out that, “as for the section of the rented NDC press calling for my removal or dismissal from office, I wish to assure them that I never begged to be appointed Attorney-General: I opposed it on four separate occasions. That criminal section of the NDC press should be assured that I am ready, able and willing for that eventuality. The inescapable fact is that at the end of the day truth will prevail over falsehood in the Republic of Ghana.”

In a sharp rebuttal, the deputy Minister of Information, Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa, didn't mince words in registering his disappointment at the Attorney-General's press statement.

“He is also going to be pushed to name [the minister plotting against him]. “So it appears to me that this is just the beginning of this very, very explosive statement which the Attorney General has uttered,” he said, and pointed out:

“There seems to be too much internal feud within the National Democratic Congress. There seems to be too much mistrust so that when newspapers are after you, a colleague minister should necessarily be behind it… are people in an indecent haste to cause an implosion in the National Democratic Congress? Are they in hurry to return to opposition?”

Another NDC activist andmember of the government communications team, Felix Kwakye-Ofosu, has hit back hard at the Attorney-General's 'explosive statement', suggesting that with the level of inherent bitterness exposed by Mr Martin Amidu; his claim that he never begged for his position; and the general tone of his statement show the “height of irresponsibility” on the A-G's part.

He said with the A-G's self-acclaimed principle, the “honourable thing” was for him to follow his statement with a resignation letter.

“Indeed, he also creates the impression that he is a very principled person; I expected that at the tail end of this statement, in keeping with his exposition of principle, he would have added that he was quitting...if I were him, I would have resigned immediately I issued this statement because he has made his position in government untenable,” said Felix Kwaye-Ofosu.

He further maintained: “What he has betrayed is a lack of commitment and passion for the job; again he has affronted the President, and created the impression that without him the President could [not] have run a government.

“He should do the honourable thing and quit government at this particular moment because what he has done is improper and cannot be countenanced in any government.”

We are in interesting times indeed. What the heck? The Attorney-General failed to display maturity when it was needed most. He owes Ghanaians a duty since he is a public officer. He should go ahead and mention the Minister involved in gargantuan crimes.

I'm surprised that the Attorney-General is aware of criminals in NDC, and as a custodian of Ghana's law, could not act and yet he put out such a statement, portraying himself as an honest person.

If he is aware of a gargantuan crime against the state, what has he done as an Attorney- General? What are we doing to ourselves?

This is another clear example of leadership failure. Mr. Martin Amidu, if people think you are not performing, what are you suppose to do? Explain to us why they are wrong.

Martin Amidu's utterances have confirmed his non- co-operation and reverence to his superiors. Perhaps, he may have a point, but was that the best approach, to let the cat out of the bag? I think there is a disconnect between patriotism and loyalty. He should remember his roots and know that it is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice. If your wife goes public to pronounce any remarks against you without your prior knowledge, how will you take it? Well they say, you will never be fully dressed until you wear a smile.

Mr Minister, your press release is very empty. You have not given us any reason why your detractors should be ignored, except to throw out allegations of plots by colleague ministers. You refused the position of Attorney General four times, and so what? You accepted it later, after all.

Sorry, but Mr. Amidu, your position is not cut for emotions. It requires a cool and reasonable head. Please, come again.

I shall be back

Emmanuel Dela Coffie
www.delacoffie,wordpress.com