By Savannah Pokuaah Duah
Ghanaian lawyer and activist Oliver Barker Vormawor has praised the Attorney General’s decision to explain the reasons behind dropping a case, marking a significant departure from past practices where cases were often initiated and then abruptly discontinued without explanation.
“In the past, this has never happened,” Barker Vormawor stated during an interview on the GTV Breakfast Show on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
According to Barker Vormawor, this new approach by the Attorney General is a welcome change, as it allows citizens to understand the reasoning behind the decisions made by the office.
He emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, saying, “The citizens have the right to scrutinize why you are making those decisions. And if we call it controversial, we have a right to… We don’t just say that I have the power and the discretion, and I do what I please.”
Barker Vormawor’s comments come after the Attorney General’s office dropped a case, sparking debate about the decision-making process behind such actions.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Dr. Dominic Ayine, the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, justified his decision to discontinue the trial of Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, citing political persecution and lack of legal merit. According to Dr. Ayine, his thorough reassessment of the case revealed no justification to proceed with the prosecution.
Interestingly, Barker Vormawor revealed that there were disagreements within the current government regarding the Attorney General’s decision to offer an explanation. “In fact, there were persons within the current government who disagreed with the Attorney General in his decision to explain, because they felt that he was opening a Pandora’s box,” he said.
Despite these disagreements, Barker Vormawor believes that transparency and accountability are essential in governance. “Let’s open it. The citizens have the right to scrutinize why you are making those decisions,” he added, emphasizing the importance of citizen participation in governance.
