By King Amoah
The air in Ghana is thick with indignation following a revelation that individuals who have been implicated in the massive National Service Secretariat (NSS) scandal have proposed a “voluntary settlement” of GHS 560 million to the state.
The offer which was disclosed by the Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah Yeboah, has been met with fierce resistance, spearheaded by a prominent Civil Society advocate Mr Franklin Cudjoe.
The “Negotiated Justice” Controversy:
The proposal suggests that those who allegedly plundered state coffers are seeking a way out of prosecution by returning a portions of their ill gotten gains.
However Franklin Cudjoe has wasted no time in condemning the move.
Taking a firm stance, Cudjoe has advised the Attorney General to treat the proposal with contempt.
According to Cudjoe, corruption is not a commercial transaction. He argues that accepting these funds would establish a dangerous precedent and would effectively create a “pay to play” exit strategy for corrupt officials.
He said that such a compromise would not only violate the sanctity of Ghana’s laws but it would also embolden future state looters who would believe that they can simply “buy back” their freedom if they are caught.
A Unified Public Backlash:
Cudjoe’s stance has resonated deeply with the Ghanaian public and triggering a wave of support from across the country.
Citizens are vocally insisting on that justice cannot be bartered.
In Kumasi a retired Accountant Paul Assumadu expressed deep frustration, noting that the stolen funds were not a loan facility granted to the officials.
You cannot steal public money and then negotiate as if you were paying back a debt, he argued.
In Takoradi.in the Western region, Georgina Wilhelmena Offei an auditor, insisted that the law must take its full course.
She emphasized that the intent behind the theft was to deprive the state and its citizens of resources, adding that the act demonstrates a clear criminal mindset that no excused must be entertained.
From Cape Coast, Philip Amoah expressing disappointment about the NSS multiple scandals observed that allowing suspects to “settle” their cases in installments to ensure their freedom could be dangerous.
They can pay fractions and regain their freedom, and then vanish with the rest of the booty, Amoah cautioned.
The most scathing indictment came from Oforikrom where a resident Papa Jay drew a stark comparison between state looters and those who commit violent crimes..
Papa Jay stated that state looters are not different from murderers stressing that they steal money meant for development and cause citizens to go hungry and die from lack of essential services, all while they parade themselves as wealthy and honest citizens.
We must force them to pay back everything in full and then jail them heavily to serve as a deterrent to others, Papa Jay advised.
The Road Ahead:
As the national debate intensifies, the pressure on the Office of the Attorney General continue to mount.
For the average Ghanaian, the message is clear: the state must prioritize justice over liquidity.
The expectation is that the Attorney General will reject any attempt to circumvent the judicial process and opting instead to prosecute the culprits to the fullest extent of the law.4
