Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu has rejected suggestions that the government should influence the judiciary to speed up prosecutions under the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative.

The Abura Asebu-Kwamankese MP, speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, insisted that while the government is committed to pursuing corruption cases, it will not manipulate the courts for political ends.

“We used to accuse the NPP of manipulating the judiciary. We used to say that the NPP did not allow for an independent judiciary.”

“It is not the submission of the individuals saying this, I would imagine that we should manipulate the judiciary to achieve certain political things that government cannot do.”

His remarks come amid criticism from some individuals, including former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo, who have questioned the pace of work by state institutions investigating alleged corruption cases under the ORAL framework.

But Mr Kwakye Ofosu defended the government’s record so far, saying investigative agencies have made significant progress.

“You have to define what the expression means by government is not moving fast enough.”

“The Attorney General was sworn into office sometime in February last year, and within a year, he is able to supervise a situation where 27 dockets and another 40 cases are being looked into by EOCO.”

He added that the investigations have already produced major enforcement actions.

“He has been able to get 140 people and beyond and seized assets worth 1.5 billion Ghana cities with quite a number of people standing trial.”

According to him, once cases are filed in court, the pace of proceedings is no longer under government control.

“When a case goes to court, not Mr Dumelovo or any of the critics can determine how the judge conducts the case.”

He stressed that government’s responsibility is limited to building strong cases and presenting evidence before the courts.

“What government can do is to build a case, gather sufficient evidence and then go to court to convince the court that this individual or that individual has committed this crime.”

“For which reason this punishment ought to be meted out, and where we find any assets involved, we retrieve it for the benefit of the case that has been done.”

Mr Kwakye Ofosu acknowledged that concerns about delays within Ghana’s judicial system are not new.

“Of course, are we all frustrated about the pace of work of the Ghanaian judiciary? It is a long-standing criticism against the Ghanaian judiciary.”

However, he maintained that the issue cannot be blamed on the executive.

“But it is not something that the government should bear responsibility for.”

He revealed that the government is pursuing structural reforms to address the situation.

“Government has tried to find ways around it.”

“So, for instance, cabinet has approved the reintroduction of the tribunal system, which, in any event, is in the Constitution.”

According to him, the revived tribunal system will help speed up the handling of certain cases.

“Very soon, it will be rolled out to deal with cases of ORAL and cases involving illegal money, other cases that clog our court system.”

He stressed that while reforms are underway, the government cannot determine how quickly courts will conclude cases.

“But as for the fact that government can dictate the pace of cases being handled by a court or a judge, that one is beyond its capacity.”