The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) has frowned on a decision by the Attorney-General’s Department to accept a GHȻ10,000 grift from the Chinese Mission in Ghana.
According to the GII, the AG’s office should not have taken the money in the midst of the prosecution of some Chinese nationals involved in illegal mining in the country.
“The point is that we are currently at the moment dealing with matters that concern Chinese engaging in illegal mining,” said GII Executive Director, Linda Ofori-Kwafo.
“So if the very institution that is mandated under our laws to deal with such matters are accepting gifts at this time then it raises concern,” she adds.
The Chinese mission says the donation is to support the A-G’s office to organise a stakeholders’ consultative workshop on the Office of the Special Prosecutor Bill, 2017.
However, a section of the public has also expressed disapproval.
Some Ghanaians on social media say the donation may induce the Attorney General’s office in trying Chinese galamseyers, like Aisha Huang.
Read some of the comments from some Ghanaians on social media below.
It is possible for judgement to be influenced by a judge accepting a gift from an accused person, but in this case the Chinese embassy is not the direct accused person. The embassy has given the AG office a gift for a particular purpose. On the other hand the case of Aisha Huang and the Chinese Galamseyerers are pending. Let’s keep our hands crossed if at the end of the day there judgement for these Chinese nationals is inappropriate, then we have every right to call the AG’s attention to that. Personally I believe the AG who is adept in her job can be influenced by anything in seeing to the pronouncement of the right judgement.
Not even by such a paltry amount!
Point of correction: *Personally I do not believe that the AG who is adept in her job can be influenced by anything in seeing to the pronouncement of the right judgement.