Is Social Media Your Court? – KsTU Lecturer Questions Attorney General Over Press Briefings
A senior lecturer at the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU), Dr. Solomon Forkuo-Kwarteng, has criticized Ghana’s Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine accusing him of using the media and social platforms as substitutes for the courts.
Reacting to the recent press conference held by the Attorney General of alleged payroll fraud involving GH¢548 million by former National Service Scheme (NSS) officials, Dr. Forkuo-Kwarteng questioned the increasing trend of briefing the media on high-profile alleged corruption cases that, in his view, should be left to the courts for proper legal processes. “Is social media your new court or office?” he asked.
Dr. Forkuo-Kwarteng challenged the AG to demonstrate real commitment to fighting corruption by focusing on tangible legal actions.
“The AG should stop the media trials and instead collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to bring back the former MASLOC boss, Sedinam Tamakloe, who has been convicted and sentenced to 10 years by a competent court but is currently outside the country,” he stated.
Dr. Forkuo-Kwarteng added that the AG comparing his actions to that of the United States does not justify the Attorney General’s methods. He cautioned that rushing to inform the public before legal proceedings begin is unfair and potentially damaging.
He concluded that while accountability is necessary, what the Attorney General is doing “will not solve the problem” of corruption and only weakens the trust in Ghana’s legal institutions.
