Akufo-Addo’s Directive For Domelevo To Proceed On Leave Was Unconstitutional – SC

The Supreme Court has declared as unconstitutional the directive from the Presidency that compelled former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo to proceed on leave.

The court also ruled that President Akufo-Addo’s appointment of an Acting Auditor General while a substantive Auditor-General was in office was equally unconstitutional.

It will be recalled that the Presidency had instructed Domelevo to take leave in July 2020. When Domelevo raised concerns about the legality of the directive, his leave was extended from 123 days to 167 days, effective from July 1, 2020.

In view of the above, nine civil society groups, including the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Citizen Movement Ghana, Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP), and Parliamentary Network Africa, filed a lawsuit against the Attorney General, arguing that the directives were unlawful.

The CSOs described the move by the president as an affront to the independence of the office.

They contended that President Akufo-Addo does not possess the authority to exercise disciplinary control over independent bodies.

The apex court, while acknowledging the unconstitutionality of the directive, did not issue any further orders, as Domelevo has since retired from his position.