Kwesi Pratt Jnr Weighs in on President Mahama’s Financial Accountability Meeting
Kwesi Pratt Jnr is the Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper
Context of the Meeting
The Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, shared his thoughts on President John Dramani Mahama’s recent gathering with key stakeholders. The meeting aimed to accelerate punitive actions against officials implicated in financial misconduct highlighted by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reports.
Concerns Over Judicial Inaction
During his appearance on Good Morning Ghana on October 22, 2025, Pratt acknowledged President Mahama’s valid concerns regarding the apparent inaction of the judiciary. However, he raised questions about the appropriateness of the Executive’s direct intervention in judicial processes.
Principles of Governance
Pratt emphasized the fundamental tenets of Ghana’s governance structure, stating, “We have three arms of government that operate autonomously.” He underscored that the Executive should refrain from interfering in the Legislature and Judiciary’s functions, reinforcing the necessity for checks and balances within the government.
Shared Frustrations Regarding Financial Accountability
Despite his concerns about executive overreach, Pratt acknowledged that the President’s frustrations are broadly felt. Many individuals, including former PAC chair Albert Kan Dapaah, share these worries about the lack of action on financial mismanagement.
Judicial System Failures
Pratt pointed out a longstanding deficiency in the judicial system’s response to the Auditor General’s reports. He highlighted that a constitutional provision for establishing a public tribunal to address such financial matters has yet to be implemented since 1992.
Historical Context of Prosecutions
He recounted how, under former Chief Justice Georgina Wood, special courts were set up to tackle cases arising from the Auditor General’s findings. Shockingly, not one case has been prosecuted in these specialized courts since their inception, indicating a pressing need for reform in the prosecution of financial crimes.
Reconsidering the Proposed Solutions
While recognizing the urgency of addressing the failure to prosecute financial crimes, Pratt expressed skepticism about the President’s chosen course of action. “I’m not sure that the proper way to address it is to call the Chief Justice and the Attorney General for a meeting about prosecutions,” he stated, underlining the complexity of the issue.
