Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu says accusations made by the Attorney General do not amount to a conviction, stressing that only a court of law has the power to determine guilt.
Speaking on the JoyNews AM Show on January 26, Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu clarified that the Attorney General’s role in accusing or prosecuting a person should not be confused with convicting them.
“Only a court convicts people,” he said. “If I say you have stolen my phone, I have not convicted you. I have only accused you.”
He explained that a conviction can only occur after a person is taken to court and evidence is properly examined.
“The only way you will be convicted is when you go to court and evidence is established that you actually did what is being alleged,” he noted. “That is when a court convicts you.”
Mr Kwakye Ofosu said if the Attorney General receives information suggesting an offence has been committed, it is lawful to invite security agencies to investigate.
“If the Attorney General comes into office and has information that an offence has been committed, he can ask the BNI to investigate,” he said. “If investigations are done and evidence is available, the matter can be taken to court.”
He stressed that taking someone to court does not mean they are guilty or will be jailed automatically.
“When an accusation is made, nobody will pick you up and send you to prison,” he explained. “So nobody should talk about conviction at that stage.”
According to him, the accused person has every right to defend themselves in court.
“You are allowed to go to court and tell the judge that what has been said is not true,” he said. “You can present your evidence and explain your side of the story.”
Touching on concerns about reputation, Mr Kwakye Ofosu acknowledged that court proceedings are public and often covered by the media.
“Court cases are not secret affairs,” he said. “The media reports what happens in court, and the public follows these cases.”
He added that this transparency is why media houses, including JoyNews, assign court correspondents to cover trials.
“Every case that goes to court becomes a public matter,” he stated. “When the case is concluded, the details are even captured in law reports.”
Mr Kwakye Ofosu also noted that the Attorney General, as a public officer, must account for the use of his powers.
“The Attorney General has the power to order arrests and detention, but only within the law,” he said.
He explained that because detention affects a person’s rights, the public deserves to know the reasons behind such decisions.
“Detention curtails your freedom,” he said. “So the public, your family, and loved ones must know why that decision was taken.”
He concluded that accountability and due process are central to Ghana’s justice system and that accusations should never be mistaken for convictions.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com