Former Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has dismissed allegations of an extravagant lifestyle during his tenure made by South Dayi MP, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor.
In a letter demanding a retraction and apology, Dame described the claims as utterly false and a fabrication of facts. The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, was copied in the letter to draw attention to what Dame termed as “dishonourable conduct” by Dafeamekpor outside the parliamentary chamber.
The former minister noted that the allegations were made by the Majority Chief Whip on Accra-based TV3’s programme on Saturday, February 22, 2025.
Dafeamekpor had accused Dame of moving with a heavy military escort and living beyond modest means. However, Dame has dismissed these claims as baseless and damaging to his reputation.
“In utter disregard for the truth, my reputation, and rights, you published the following words… The allegations by you are clearly a product of your fertile imagination and highlight your skill at fabricating facts, a tendency most unworthy of a leader of the Majority in Parliament,” he stated.
Dame further clarified his security arrangements during his eight years of public service, stating that he never had more than one bodyguard.
“At no point in time in my eight-year public service, between 2017 and 2025, did I have more than one bodyguard. At no point in time did I have a Land Cruiser or any other brand of vehicle following me with bodyguards. I never had a military convoy,” he said.
He emphasized that his security detail remained minimal even after assuming the substantive role of Attorney-General, maintaining the same single bodyguard.
“As a Deputy Attorney-General, I was assigned one bodyguard following an assessment of the security risks around me. Following my appointment as the substantive Attorney-General and Minister for Justice on March 5, 2021, I continued with the same one bodyguard to the end of my tenure,” he revealed.
Addressing concerns over his use of public resources, Dame defended his frugality.
“Throughout my public service, I stayed in one of my private properties which I acquired long before my initial appointment. I never made a claim for payment of any money by the state in lieu of the provision of residential accommodation,” he stated.
He added that he never used a government vehicle for his daily official duties in Accra.
“All vehicles used by me in Accra for my official functions were privately owned. The only time I used a government vehicle was for rare travels outside Accra,” he clarified.
Dame criticized the allegations as part of a broader pattern of political attacks.
“Ordinarily, I would have treated the words published by you with the contempt they deserve since you and functionaries of your political party have gained distinct notoriety for constantly peddling falsehoods about my person,” he stated, accusing the platform of being a “regular forum for such sinister activity.”
Demanding a retraction using the same platform, Dame has threatened to initiate legal action if similar remarks are repeated.
“I hereby serve you notice that a future publication of the same or similar falsehoods by your good self will result in an institution of legal proceedings for punitive damages for defamation together with costs of litigation,” he cautioned.