The Member of Parliament for the Akwatia Constituency, Hon. Bernard Bediako Baidoo, has assured Ghanaians that President John Dramani Mahama will not grant a presidential pardon to the convicted former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Madam Sedinam Tamakloe.
Addressing critics and skeptics, the MP emphasized the President’s strict stance on accountability.
“Let me emphasise that let no one panic, let’s not be pessimistic. President Mahama will not pardon her. He will not do it. President Mahama who is able to prosecute his own appointees will not pardon her. And so these naysayers should stop their needless political agenda.”
He urged those making “needless claims” to halt their political agendas, reiterating that the President has no intention of interfering with the judicial outcome and that the former MASLOC Boss will serve her full term.
The lawmaker described the successful extradition of Madam Tamakloe from the United States to Ghana to face justice as a significant victory for the country, demonstrating the current administration’s unwavering commitment to combating financial malpractice.
Madam Tamakloe was convicted in absentia, after which the government initiated formal extradition processes to return her to Ghana to serve her 10-year prison sentence.
According to Hon. Baidoo, this decisive action proves that the government remains fully dedicated to tackling corruption and corruption-related offenses head-on.
Speaking in an interview on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, the MP noted that as a female inmate, standard procedures dictate she must undergo a medical examination to verify she is not pregnant before being formally admitted to prison to begin her sentence.
While praising the state’s successful extradition efforts, Hon. Baidoo—speaking from a legal standpoint—reminded the public that the convict still maintains constitutional rights.
“At the end of the day, let me state this. As a lawyer, President Mahama and state have successfully had her extradited but the woman also has the right under the law to defend herself especially when she was tried in absentia. The court did not err in convicting her because she was given the opportunity to defend herself but travelled abroad to seek medical care upon permission from the court.
So this case must be placed in proper perspective. She was granted bail by the court and later she asked permission to seek medical care and went away without returning.”
The MP clarified that despite public perception, there is no definitive evidence to prove she intentionally “run away” as some have alleged.
He referenced the legal principle of ‘audi alteram partem’ (the right to a fair hearing), explaining that anyone standing trial has the fundamental right to be heard before conviction.
He told host Kwabena Agyapong that if this had been a civil matter, her legal team would have easily moved to set the judgment aside due to her absence during the trial.
However, because this is a criminal matter, her remedy lies in the appellate court. Mr. Baidoo stressed that it is entirely within her rights to appeal the judgment—a step her legal team has already taken.
He disclosed that as of February 2026, her lawyers had filed a comprehensive appeal exceeding 70 pages. Ultimately, he concluded, the final determination of whether her appeal succeeds or fails rests entirely with the court.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
