One of the notable events during John Agyekum Kufuor’s presidency was the legal confrontation involving Tsatsu Tsikata, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).
Tsikata was prosecuted and controversially sentenced to prison for allegedly causing financial loss to the state.
While incarcerated at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, he became unwell and was subsequently transferred to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra for medical care. This prompted then-President Kufuor to extend a pardon to Tsikata, who is affiliated with the National Democratic Congress.
However, even while hospitalized, Tsatsu Tsikata declined the pardon offered by Kufuor, emphasizing his determination to clear his name and prove his innocence.
“I have never sought, and I do not need your pretence of mercy. Justice is my quest, and I will pursue this quest in accordance with the constitution and laws of Ghana,” parts of his letter read.
Tsatsu Tsikata also explained how the government had literally conspired, through now-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who was the Attorney General at the time the charges were initially brought against him, to convict him at all costs for political reasons.
“Your apparent exercise of the presidential prerogative of mercy in respect of a conviction and imprisonment that you were the prime mover of is the height of hypocrisy,” it added.
As already known, Tsatsu Tsikata appealed his conviction and won against the state, proving that the claims made against him were untrue.
Sights have been made of the handwritten letter shared by Pulsegh from the revered lawyer in which he rejected Kufuor’s offer.
