The Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has clarified the party’s position on the prosecution of former officials or appointees.
Speaking on Asempa FM on March 1, 2025, Ahiagbah stated that the party would not protect former officials who are found guilty of criminal charges by the courts.
According to him, the NPP strongly believes in upholding the rule of law in the country, emphasizing its firm stance against corruption.
He further explained that if the courts found a former official guilty of any criminal charges, the party would respect the decision and refrain from protesting or offering support to those found culpable.
“… The party doesn’t condone and tolerate corruption so if it happens that an ex-official or appointee given the mandate to serve is implicated in a crime and is prosecuted by the court and found guilty the law will deal with them.
“The party will not support it and that is not our behavior. We are a party of rule of law and so if an ex-official is proven guilty by the courts, the party will not protest it or support them,” he said.
Additionally, the politician highlighted the stark contrasts between the party’s administration and certain individuals who were appointed to serve but subsequently corrupted their positions.
In his view, such individuals do not define the government. He also added that no member of the party accused of a crime has fled the country.
“No one can abscond from this country. One thing we need to understand is that our government was independently separate from certain individuals who were appointed to specific roles but have corrupted their positions. Such individuals do not define the government,” he stated.
Ahiagbah, however, emphasized the importance of allowing the law to take its course, arguing that only the courts have the authority to declare individuals guilty.
He asserted that certain individuals cannot be declared guilty by the public when the courts have not issued such a judgment.
“There are laws in this country that stipulate individuals found culpable of wrongdoing or committing a crime must be held accountable in accordance with the law. There is a basic assumption that only the courts have the authority to determine guilt or innocence in criminal matters,” he concluded.
Ahiagbah’s comments align with President John Dramani Mahama’s disclosure regarding certain former government appointees implicated in the NSA ghost names scandal who have fled the country.
The president made this announcement during his maiden State of the Nation Address (SONA) in his second term as president. He has since directed that the accounts of those individuals who have left the country be traced and their assets frozen.
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