Physician and political activist Dr. Arthur Kennedy has urged urgent reforms in Ghana’s justice and governance systems, warning that a culture of impunity continues to erode public trust.
Speaking on JoyPrime’s Newsfile on Saturday, November 22, 2025, Kennedy criticised how law enforcement and anti-corruption bodies have handled high-profile cases, including the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) planned arraignment of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta over 78 corruption charges.
Kennedy expressed frustration at what he described as a longstanding pattern of impunity in the country, citing incidents such as the battering of women and six deaths at El Wak Stadium, which, in his view, went largely unpunished. “The police stations involved should have been held accountable by now,” he said, adding that the lack of consequences undermines citizens’ confidence in the justice system.
On the Ofori-Atta case, he stressed that prosecution should proceed regardless of the accused’s absence from Ghana, warning against allowing jurisdictional technicalities to prevent accountability. He linked the case to previous controversies, including the SML deal and syndicated loans, which he says reflect systemic oversight failures.
Kennedy also warned against political insulation, describing a pattern of what he termed “serial party dictatorship,” where incumbent officials escape scrutiny even when allegations of financial misconduct arise. He emphasised that, since Ofori-Atta reported to the President, the former President must also answer for financial irregularities under his administration.
The discussion also touched on broader justice concerns. Kennedy criticised the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) over alleged human rights abuses, calling for systematic and fair bail procedures, particularly for poor detainees lacking legal representation.
On the issue of illegal mining (galamsey), Kennedy argued that the country risks treating the symptoms rather than the cause if it focuses solely on prosecution. “The tribunals are side issues. What matters first is decisive state-led action to reclaim forests and lands,” he said, urging preventive measures and military involvement to halt environmental degradation.
Kennedy’s remarks underscore a wider call for strengthened institutional accountability, fair enforcement of the law, and preventive state action as Ghana navigates corruption, human rights, and environmental challenges.
