The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has expressed doubts about the ability of the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, to independently investigate and prosecute individuals linked to the controversial AKSA energy deal.

The NPP’s concerns follow the conviction in the United States of former Goldman Sachs employee Asante Kwaku Berko in connection with bribery-related activities involving the AKSA energy deal.

The NPP says the development has heightened the need for a thorough investigation into the Ghanaian aspects of the matter and for appropriate action against individuals who may have been involved.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, August 14, Manhyia South Member of Parliament Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah said the party had lost confidence in the Attorney General’s ability to handle the matter.

Baffour Awuah said that the Attorney General’s decision to discontinue or abandon a number of high-profile prosecutions involving individuals connected to the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised questions about the government’s commitment to accountability.

He cited several cases in which the Attorney General entered a nolle prosequi, resulting in the discontinuation of criminal proceedings against the accused persons.

“NPP wishes to place on record its lack of confidence in the current Attorney General as far as the handling of the AKSA energy matter is concerned. Since assuming office on January 22, 2025, Dr. Dominic Ayine, as Attorney General, has been associated with or has been keen on the filing of discontinuance or nolle prosequi or abandonment of prosecutions involving persons connected with both the previous government and the current NDC administration.

“We recall in particular the Attorney General’s entry of nolle prosequi in matters including the SSNIT scandal, the Saglemi housing project case, the COCOBOD-related cases, and the UniBank case, among others. These decisions have raised serious questions about accountability, the recovery of public funds and the state in which taxpayers may ultimately bear the financial consequences.

“Against this background, we do not believe that the Attorney General can command the confidence of the Ghanaian public to independently investigate or prosecute allegations involving officials or politically connected persons of the NDC.”