Ex-A-G dragged to GLC

Godfred Yeboah Dame faces petition over ethical breaches in high-profile criminal trial

The legal profession in Ghana is facing a potential shake-up as former Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has been reported to the General Legal Council (GLC) for alleged professional misconduct. The complaint, centered around his conduct during the criminal prosecution of Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and others, could have significant implications for legal ethics and accountability in public office.

The Petitioner and the Case at the Heart of the Allegations

The petition was submitted by Daniel Kwame Ofosu-Appiah, a Ghanaian citizen who asserts he is acting in the public interest. At the core of the complaint is Dame’s alleged attempt to influence the testimony of Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the then ongoing criminal trial involving the purchase of ambulances for Ghana’s health system.

Mr. Ofosu-Appiah’s petition, dated May 22, 2025, claims that Dame’s actions compromise both the integrity of the judicial process and the constitutional right to a fair trial under Article 19(2) of the 1992 Constitution.

Evidence Presented: Audio Recording and WhatsApp Messages

A pivotal piece of evidence cited in the complaint is an audio recording—admitted into evidence by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe—that purportedly captures a private conversation between Dame and Mr. Jakpa. In the recording, Dame allegedly solicits cooperation from Jakpa in a way that raises questions about prosecutorial impartiality.

Additionally, WhatsApp exchanges between the two, reportedly including requests for documents and direct communications, have been entered into evidence. Notably, these interactions occurred without the knowledge or involvement of Jakpa’s legal team, which Mr. Jakpa revealed under oath.

Alleged Violations of Professional Conduct Rules

The petition accuses Dame of breaching several provisions of Ghana’s Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 2020 (L.I. 2423), including:

• Rule 1(c): Failure to act with honesty and professionalism.
• Rule 8(1): Engaging in deceit or misrepresentation.
• Rule 13(1)(a) & (b): Communicating with a represented party without permission.
• Rule 54: Attempting to improperly influence a witness.
• Rule 61: Conduct bringing the profession into disrepute.
• Rule 76(2)(a): Compromising the administration of justice.
• Rule 89(a): General professional misconduct.

Mr. Ofosu-Appiah also cites Rule 9(4) of the 1969 Legal Profession Rules (L.I. 613), reinforcing the longstanding standard of fairness expected of legal practitioners, especially prosecutors.

A Call for Accountability and Sanctions

In his petition, Mr. Ofosu-Appiah argues that Dame’s conduct warrants disciplinary sanctions as outlined in Section 16 of the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32). These include reprimand, suspension, or even striking off the legal roll.

Quoting Article 41(b) of the Constitution, the petitioner highlights every citizen’s duty to uphold the law and ensure accountability. “The actions of Mr. Godfred Yeboah Dame, as confirmed by judicial admission of evidence, have undermined public confidence in the legal profession and in our system of justice,” he said.

GLC’s Next Steps: A Test of Institutional Integrity

The General Legal Council now faces a significant test: whether it will pursue this complaint with the urgency and impartiality it demands. The case could become a defining moment in Ghana’s legal landscape, not only for Mr. Dame’s career, but also for public trust in the justice system and professional oversight mechanisms.

As the legal community and the public await the Council’s decision, the outcome may set a precedent for how Ghana handles allegations of misconduct by its most senior legal officers.