Renowned private legal practitioner, Martin Luther Kpebu, has underscored the significant impact of the discourse surrounding the Office of the Special Prosecutor‘s (OSP) involvement in the Cecilia Dapaah matter on Ghana’s democracy.
Mr. Kpebu emphasized that even if the state fails to secure convictions in the case, the extensive discussions it has generated will contribute to strengthening Ghana’s democracy, particularly in shaping the conduct of public officers.
The comments from Mr. Kpebu follow the recent discontinuance of the Cecilia Dapaah case by the OSP, citing that it falls outside the office’s mandate.
During an interview on Ghana Tonight on TV3 with Alfred Ocansey on January 17, 2024, Mr. Kpebu expressed the belief that the fallout from the case has served as a valuable admonishment for Ghanaian society.
He stated: “I know some people who said they knew it, I wont call them naysayers, it’s always good that we have people who have their doubts. They also serve a very critical function in our society. But we can’t say that yet. Let’s not forget the number of interviews we’ve conducted on this case both on Ghana Tonight, KeyPoints etc.”
Addressing skepticism about the outcome of the OSP’s probe, Mr. Kpebu acknowledged the doubters but stressed the critical function they play in society. He highlighted the educational aspect of the case, stating that it provided an opportunity to admonish and conscientize the public on the proper conduct expected of public officials.
“We’ve used it to admonish ourselves –abnosom. This is how not to be in public office, this is how not to conduct yourself in public office. There is huge value in it. It serves our democracy that we were talking, we were conscientizing ourselves and etc. Even if at the end of the day we don’t end up with a conviction, still, it would have served a very useful purpose. This is a case to which we’ve seen hard evidence which we can point to that people can relate. So we can use it to strengthen our governance system even without getting a conviction in court,” he explained.
The Cecilia Dapaah case, despite its discontinuance, has become a focal point for discussions on governance, accountability, and the role of institutions in upholding democratic values. As the nation reflects on the implications of this case, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to foster transparency and integrity in public service.