Former Attorney General Godfred Dame has described the decision by the current Attorney General, Dr Dominic Ayine, to withdraw the state’s appeal in the Ambulance case as “self-serving.”
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, 14 February, Mr Dame criticised Dr Ayine for putting his personal interests ahead of the state’s, saying his decision was “clear for all to see.”
Dr Ayine recently withdrew the state’s appeal against the Court of Appeal’s split decision that upheld a no-case ruling in favour of the then Minority leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, in the controversial ambulance procurement case. Dr Ayine explained that he could not in good conscience continue with the appeal because he had previously served as Dr Forson’s lawyer.
However, Mr Dame dismissed this reason as weak and unacceptable. He argued that Dr Ayine could have simply allowed other lawyers from the Attorney General’s Office to handle the appeal.
“The self-serving nature of Dr Ayine’s decision is too apparent for the people of Ghana to see,” Mr Dame stated.
He further rejected claims that the ambulance case was a political witch hunt, insisting that the evidence pointed to wrongdoing.
Mr Dame recalled that in 2014, vehicles that were supposed to be ambulances arrived in the country but failed to meet the required standards. The vehicles, imported under a deal led by Dr Forson, were described as “ordinary vans” and not fit for purpose by the then Minister of Health, Dr Alex Segbefia.
To date, the vehicles have not been converted into ambulances.
Mr Dame maintained that the state had a strong chance of winning the appeal at the Supreme Court. He questioned why Dr Ayine did not allow the process to continue if he believed in his position.
“I am of the honest view that the Republic’s chances of success at the Supreme Court were very high,” Mr Dame said.
He urged Ghanaians to see Dr Ayine’s actions for what they truly are and an attempt to protect his former client, Dr Ato Forson.
