Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and lawyer, Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, has strongly criticised former Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, saying he should seek spiritual forgiveness over his alleged role in the controversial ambulance purchase trial.

Speaking on TV3’s The KeyPoints programme on Saturday, May 24, 2025, Tameklo did not mince words. He accused Mr. Dame of engaging in conduct that he described as morally wrong, and which could destroy the integrity of Ghana’s justice system.

The Leaked Audio That Sparked It All

This heated debate started after some secret audio recordings and WhatsApp messages between Godfred Dame and Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the ambulance trial, were admitted into evidence in court.

In the recordings, Jakpa claimed that Dame, while still the Attorney General, urged him to falsely implicate Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who was the then Minority Leader in Parliament and now serves as Finance Minister.

This serious accusation has raised eyebrows nationwide, with many questioning whether the trial was truly fair or politically motivated.

“Let Him Go and Confess” – Tameklo Calls for Repentance
Tameklo, who is also a legal practitioner and staunch member of the opposition NDC, said that the situation is so bad that Godfred Dame must seek God’s forgiveness.

“Godfred Awuah Dame, if he’s a Catholic, should get a Roman Father and possibly do a confession and ask for forgiveness,” Tameklo said, clearly angry and emotional.

He added:

“You don’t know the conspiracy that Godfred built to put Ato Forson in jail at all cost. It’s a painful episode and that should never happen again.”

Bigger Than Politics – Justice Must Be Fair

Though Tameklo is known to be aligned with the NDC, he stressed that this issue goes beyond politics.

“I don’t care whether you are NPP or NDC,” he said. “Per our rules of engagement, we are supposed to provide representation to anybody, provided it does not offend the rules. That is our calling.”

He was making it clear that lawyers have a sacred duty to uphold the truth and not use their positions to manipulate justice for political gain.

Background: What Is This Ambulance Case About?

This whole case centres around a controversial ambulance procurement deal signed between 2014 and 2016, during the previous John Mahama administration.

Back then, the Ghanaian government made a deal with a company called Big Sea to supply 200 ambulances.

Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who was Deputy Finance Minister at the time, and Richard Jakpa, the local representative of Big Sea, were both charged in 2022 with:

Causing financial loss to the state (€2.37 million)

Abetment of crime

Breaching procurement laws

Misusing public property

They have pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Things Took a Dramatic Turn

For months, the trial dragged on quietly in court. But then everything changed when the NDC released leaked audio recordings and WhatsApp chats between Jakpa and Dame.

In the recordings, Jakpa accused Dame of pushing him to lie under oath just to make Ato Forson look guilty.

This has led to loud calls from the NDC and civil society groups for an independent investigation into the matter.

Political Persecution or Justice?

The NDC insists that the case is not just about procurement or ambulances, but rather a targeted attempt to destroy the reputation of a key NDC figure, especially now that Ato Forson is Finance Minister and an influential voice in the government.

They claim that the trial was weaponised for political gain by the previous NPP administration.

Tameklo echoed this view on TV3, describing the actions of Dame as a “conspiracy” and a serious abuse of power.

“If Ghana allows this kind of behaviour to continue, then no one is safe,” he warned.

The Bigger Picture: Rule of Law and Trust in Justice
What this whole controversy has done is raise deep concerns about Ghana’s justice system. If it is true that a sitting Attorney General was influencing witnesses to twist the truth, then public confidence in the law could be seriously damaged.

Many Ghanaians are now asking:

Can we trust the legal system to be fair?

Is justice in Ghana truly independent?

What punishment, if any, should be given to public officers who misuse their power?

Calls for Action – What Happens Next?

The issue has not ended in the courtroom. Civil society groups, legal experts, and religious leaders are now calling for:

An independent inquiry into the leaked audio and WhatsApp messages.

Disciplinary action by the General Legal Council if professional misconduct is confirmed.

A public apology from Dame if the allegations are proven.

Stronger safeguards to prevent political interference in high-profile legal cases.

Voices from the Public

Reactions on social media and on the streets have been mixed. Some Ghanaians are outraged, while others are simply fed up with the back-and-forth between the NPP and NDC.

Here’s what some people are saying:

Ama Serwaa, a trader at Kaneshie Market:

“All these politicians are the same. Today it’s NDC accusing NPP, tomorrow it will be the other way round. We just want peace and fairness in this country.”

Kwesi Boadi, a university student in Kumasi:

“If it’s true that Dame asked someone to lie in court, then he should face the law. Nobody is above the law, even the Attorney General.”

Final Thoughts

This latest controversy has once again highlighted the importance of integrity in public office. Ghana’s democracy can only survive if the rule of law is respected, and if truth always wins over politics.

As the case continues in court and more evidence unfolds, one thing is clear: Ghanaians are watching closely, and justice must be served — not just for Ato Forson or Richard Jakpa, but for the whole country.