Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Dame, has highlighted his office’s significant achievements since he assumed his role, emphasizing its success in defending the state against substantial financial claims and ensuring the protection of Ghana’s interests.
Speaking at the Annual Ghana Bar Association Conference in Kumasi on Monday, Mr Dame reflected on his tenure under the theme, “Peaceful, Fair, and Transparent Elections: The Key to Sustainable Democracy.”
He began by acknowledging the challenges inherent in his position, particularly during a government’s second term, when policy decisions from the first term might not always align with legal frameworks. He recounted instances where his legal advice was crucial yet unpopular, such as his guidance on the domestic debt restructuring to the Minister for Finance and during the COVID-19 pandemic with the Minister for Health.
“My role as Attorney-General has often required me to make difficult decisions, even when they are unpopular,” Dame said. “I have had to advise against certain legislation and policies that, while in the national interest, were not compatible with the law.”
He praised the Office of the Attorney-General for its resilience and commitment to justice, despite the pressures and criticisms faced from various quarters. “I have braved the challenges of the office and remained undaunted, because I love the law, and I love utilizing the law as an instrument for developing Ghanaian society,” he stated.
Dame highlighted the office’s success in saving Ghana billions of dollars through rigorous litigation.
“Through an unwavering commitment to justice and the protection of the interests of the State, the Office of the Attorney-General has succeeded in saving the State many billions of United States dollars, being the equivalent of over fifteen trillion Ghana cedis in numerous civil litigations,” he said.
He emphasized that the era of questionable judgment debts is now behind Ghana.
The Attorney-General elaborated on the office’s role in international litigation, noting the increased exposure to global legal challenges due to industrialization and economic expansion.
He cited victories in various international forums, including the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the London Court of International Arbitration, and praised the office’s capacity to achieve favorable outcomes with minimal costs to the nation.
“The State has had to litigate in the domestic courts of Norway, from the Oslo District Court all the way to that country’s Supreme Court. We have defended numerous arbitration claims in major international tribunals with favorable results,” Dame said.
He also commended the internal team’s performance, stating that the legal submissions and pleadings by his office now stand up to international standards.
“The most remarkable feature is that a significant amount of this litigation is conducted by personnel of the Office of the Attorney-General, led by myself and my deputies. Our memorials, pleadings, and written submissions compare favorably with those filed by any lawyer on the international stage,” Dame noted.
Dame reaffirmed his commitment to defending Ghana’s interests and acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by his office.
“We defend these claims in the face of severe constraints and challenges that have always characterized working in the Office of the Attorney-General,” he said.