Concerns are emerging over what the public describes as inconsistencies in judicial decisions involving members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), with claims that some rulings risk eroding public confidence in Ghana’s justice system.
Former Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has accused sections of the judiciary of delivering decisions that disproportionately affect NPP members, particularly in cases involving arrests, detention, and bail conditions.
Speaking at the Leadership and Law Series organised by the Law Students Network (LSN) on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the ISSER Conference Room in the University of Ghana, Godfred Dame alleged that certain judges have become “willing enablers” of actions that undermine fundamental rights.
According to him, recent judicial outcomes raise questions about fairness and consistency in the application of the law.
Central to his argument are cases involving the detention and denial of bail to individuals affiliated with the NPP.
He pointed to instances where suspects have reportedly been held for extended periods despite meeting conditions that would ordinarily justify bail under similar circumstances.
One example he cited involves the arrest and continued detention of NPP activists over their commentary on national issues, including the controversial LGBTQ+ debate.
In these cases, he argued, individuals were denied bail despite the non-violent nature of the alleged offences, while comparable cases involving others have seen more lenient treatment.
The former Attorney General also referenced what he described as “frivolous prosecutions” stemming from the circulation of political caricatures linked to the administration of John Dramani Mahama.
He contended that such actions, coupled with strict bail conditions or outright denial of bail, suggest a worrying pattern that could be interpreted as politically motivated.
“These decisions cast a slur on the integrity and independence of the judiciary,” he said, warning that public trust in the legal system could be severely damaged if such perceptions persist.
Adding his voice to the debate, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has also criticised the judicial system over this same unfair ruling against members of the opposition NPP. He described it as unlawful detention of NPP members.
He argued that the repeated denial of bail in cases involving opposition figures is inconsistent with established legal principles and threatens the rule of law.
According to both Godfred Dame and the Minority Leader, the judiciary must be seen as neutral and fair, particularly in politically sensitive cases, to maintain its credibility.
