General News of Tuesday, 16 March 2010

Source: The Informer

Vacancy!...Position: Attorney General Of The Republic Of Ghana

For clearly showing her lack of understanding for the passion that brought the National Democratic Congress to power, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Madam Betty Mould Iddrisu is on her way out of government.

Majority of members in the NDC government and the foot-soldiers are livid by the conduct of the Attorney-General who is lately claiming to know that the Kufuor administration was not corrupt and also did not interfere with judicial processes.

The latest pronouncements of the A-G adds to the concerns that sympathizers of the NDC had raised over her lazy attitude towards prosecuting and seeking conviction for ex-public appointees who looted state funds and are still walking freely. The position of Attorney-General is consequently up for grabs and is particularly reserved for an astute lawyer with a history of defending or prosecuting criminal cases.

The lawyer according to sources must be a believer in the social democratic principles, on which platform the ruling NDC came into power and is governing by. There are however a special interest by appointing officials to hand over the above requirements. In the minds and hearts of members of the NDC, there is danger in maintaining Betty Mould Iddrisu as the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.

The party faithfuls have therefore suggested to the President that the sitting A-G be handed a different portfolio preferably at the presidency. It is being contended that Aunty Betty Mould Iddrisu is not cut for the job of a chief-prosecutor of crimes and hence there is the need for her to swap positions with the Minister of Health, Dr. Benjamin Kumbour.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs is rumoured to be her favorite Ministry, as such Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni will then have to move to the office of the Minister of Health. Names of other private lawyers like CPP’s Bright Akwetey and ex-Ghana Bar of Association’s President, Nii Osa Mills have come up strongly for consideration.

It has also come to the fore that there is the need to form a technical group of lawyers to consult for the Attorney General, as it was the practices during the era of the NPP government. Samuel Cudjoe of Law Trust has been suggested as a likely member of the team of advisors who should be contracted to consult for the A-G.