AG’s NSA Briefing Serves Public Interest – Franklin Cudjoe Defends Transparency

Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, has commended Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine for taking what he called a bold and educational stance in addressing the recent National Service Authority (NSA) scandal.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue on Saturday, June 15, Cudjoe disagreed with New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communications Director Richard Ahiagbah, who accused the Attorney General of publicly indicting former NSA officials prematurely. Ahiagbah argued that the AG’s actions could prejudice ongoing investigations and violate the principle of presumption of innocence.

Cudjoe, however, defended the public disclosures, stating that they serve the greater purpose of transparency and accountability.

“I completely reject the idea that this amounts to persecution,” he said. “We should rather applaud the Attorney General and his team for engaging in what I see as public education. Without informing the public, even rightful justice can sometimes be misunderstood or mistrusted.”

His remarks followed a June 13 press conference in which the Attorney General revealed alleged payroll-related fraud at the NSA, totaling GH¢548 million. Twelve former officials, including prominent individuals like Mustapha Ussif, Osei Assibey Antwi, and Gifty Oware-Mensah, were named in the revelations.

While Ahiagbah condemned the briefing as a “trial by media,” Cudjoe maintained that the public deserves to be fully informed, especially in matters involving significant financial misconduct.

Cudjoe emphasized that shedding light on such allegations strengthens citizen trust in the legal process and does not necessarily undermine fair trial rights.

The Attorney General has reiterated that the briefings are intended to promote openness and accountability, not political point-scoring.