We’re Prosecuting at Supersonic Speed – Attorney-General

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has pushed back against suggestions that his office is dragging its feet on high-profile corruption cases, insisting that prosecutions are moving at what he called “supersonic speed.”

Speaking at the government’s “Accountability Series” on Monday, July 28, Dr. Ayine addressed growing concerns about the pace of justice delivery, especially in cases involving public officials and state funds.

“We file charges, witness statements, and documents within two weeks – that is a record compared to the six months it used to take.

“There is no delay. We’re moving at supersonic speed, but convictions depend on the courts, not my office,” he said.

Dr. Ayine explained that while the wheels of justice are often blamed for being slow, his team has been efficient in preparing and presenting cases.

“We are not sitting on files. We are putting together dockets, reviewing evidence, and filing all necessary processes in record time,” he said.

He stressed that the few delays observed in some prosecutions are due to the need for thorough preparation to secure convictions.

“If a case is taking longer, it is usually because we are working to close gaps in the evidence to prevent reasonable doubt in court,” he explained.

The Attorney-General maintained that the goal was not to rush cases to court but to ensure they were watertight. “We don’t want a half-baked case. We want airtight prosecutions,” he insisted.

Dr. Ayine concluded by reiterating his office’s commitment to justice delivery, while making a clear distinction between the responsibilities of the prosecution and the judiciary. “My office prosecutes. The courts convict. We do our part at supersonic speed,” he said.

Analysis of AG’s comment on prosecution process

It’s commendable how efficiently the new government and its ministers are performing. The Accountability Series—an unprecedented initiative in Ghana’s political history—has provided a rare window into the inner workings of government and a renewed sense of transparency.

In light of President Mahama’s commitment to leaving a lasting legacy, we hope all individuals implicated in corruption will be held accountable.

We trust the Attorney-General will match his words with action and help sustain the standard of efficiency Mahama has set.