The Member of Parliament for Kwahu Afram Plains North, Hon. Kpeli Worlase, has advised Ghanaians to exercise patience regarding the prosecution of former government appointees suspected of corruption.
He emphasised that thorough investigations are required for all alleged cases to ensure that those involved are prosecuted strictly in accordance with the law.
The lawmaker, who is also a private legal practitioner, noted that legal proceedings cannot be rushed.
Hon. Worlase explained that Ghana’s judicial system is built on the rule of law rather than the swift, often summary nature of military or martial courts.
He noted that flaws in initial evidence gathering have significantly hampered current cases.
“I am a lawyer; there is no process of prosecution that can run with [great] speed unless in a military or martial court. I also think that the process of evidence gathering in most of the cases, or alleged cases, has not been done the right way. So, you are likely not to find the actual cases that will nail the people involved.”
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5 FM, the MP argued that early public announcements and political “intentions” warned suspects prematurely. This, he believes, allowed individuals to interfere with investigations or scrub traces of corruption before formal charges could be brought.
“Before the prosecutions started, people had attempted to gather evidence and had also prompted the people [suspects] to prosecute them. You think they will leave traces that will make it easier for you to prosecute them? They will [hide] the traces”, he told host Kwabena Agyapong.
Hon. Worlase further observed that while the public might see a crime as obvious, the courtroom requires a much higher standard of proof.
He expressed empathy for the attorney general and minister of justice, who face immense pressure from political supporters.
“The promises had tampered with the evidence. From where I sit, I can see the difficulties the attorney general and minister of justice are facing. He is going through difficulties because your supporters are chanting and pushing for you to deal ruthlessly with corrupt individuals—but the evidence needed to prosecute, you don’t necessarily have, and there are processes in doing that.”
The MP ended by noting that many allegations hinge on administrative errors, where proving “criminal intent” is notoriously difficult—especially when the evidence must be sourced from civil servants who may themselves be complicit.
For him, it is important to investigate in silence, gather airtight evidence, and only then proceed to court.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
