The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has acknowledged the immense challenges he has faced since taking office.
Speaking at the 2024/2025 Annual General Conference of the Ghana Bar Association, on Monday September 9, 2024, he emphasized the unique difficulties that arise when assuming office during a government’s second term. According to him, this period often involves addressing the aftermath of policies from the first term that may have been unpopular with the public.
He reflected on the overwhelming challenges he encountered and the complex advice he had to provide to his fellow ministers. Notably, he mentioned the controversial Domestic Debt Exchange Programme and the COVID-19 pandemic as key instances where he offered legal counsel to the Finance Minister and the Health Minister, respectively, to help navigate these crises.
He explained that being Attorney General during a second term requires making difficult, and sometimes unpopular, decisions. This includes advising ministers that certain policies, although in the national interest, may not align with the law.
Despite these challenges, he affirmed his commitment to his role, expressing his passion for the law and his dedication to using it as a tool for Ghana’s development.