Managing Editor of The Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr
The Managing Editor of The Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., has questioned the rationale behind the apology issued by the Majority Leader of Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, to former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, following a security raid at the latter’s residence.
According to the senior journalist, the Majority Leader’s actions constituted a serious misjudgment.
“It was a misjudgment on Ayariga’s part. If someone has engaged in lawlessness… In my view, Ayariga had no grounds for that apology,” he asserted during a discussion on Peace FM, monitored by GhanaWeb.
He further questioned Ayariga’s justification for the apology, asking, “What was his basis? Did Ayariga send someone to carry out the raid?”
The Majority Leader has faced public criticism after he publicly apologized to Ken Ofori-Atta following a raid by armed men in military uniforms at his residence in Cantonments.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, February 13, 2025, the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central described the incident as an unfortunate event that should never have occurred.
“So, Mr. Speaker, it is true that the private residence of the former Minister of Finance was entered by operatives of the military and police, led by an individual whom we believe works at the office of the National Security Coordinator. Mr. Speaker, his name is Richard Jakpa… I personally extend my apologies to the former Minister of Finance, and I believe that this should suffice,” he stated.
According to Ayariga, the security agencies, along with the Ministries of the Interior and Defence, have assured that such an illegal incident will not be allowed to happen again.
However, Kwesi Pratt maintained that, while the actions of the supposed security officials were condemnable, it was not the Majority Leader’s place to issue an apology.
“As far as I am concerned, what happened at Ofori-Atta’s residence needs to be thoroughly investigated. I do not know the full facts; I do not know whether it was carried out by state security or not. Those responsible must provide justification if it was lawful,” he said.
He added, “So far, I remain unconvinced that it was lawful. If someone has engaged in lawlessness, there must be an investigation, and the perpetrators must be held accountable. We must ask which law permitted such an operation. The fact that you have apologized does not mean the action was lawful or carried out by an authorized state security body.”
GA/MA
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