Ghana’s Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has described his appointment as a profound honour that crowns years of deliberate preparation in legal practice, public service, and politics.
Dr. Ayine expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for the confidence reposed in him, noting that the role carries both prestige and immense responsibility.
“When the President appointed me as Attorney General, it meant a lot to me. I am really grateful to the President for the privilege and the honour,” he said.
Speaking on Starr Chat with Bola Ray on Thursday, January 15, 2026, he acknowledged the weight of the office. Dr. Ayine stressed that his appointment did not come as a surprise, explaining that his career path had consistently prepared him for the position.
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He pointed to his tenure as Deputy Attorney General between 2013 and 2016 as a critical foundation, during which he gained firsthand exposure to the demands of the office.
Dr. Ayine recalled working closely with former Attorney General Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, describing the period as one that allowed him to demonstrate competence and leadership within the Ministry of Justice.
“She gave me a lot of room to operate, so I kind of showcased what I was made of,” he noted.
According to him, his legal and political engagement did not wane after the National Democratic Congress (NDC) lost power in 2016. Instead, he remained actively involved in shaping the party’s legal and parliamentary strategies while in opposition.
From 2017 until the NDC’s return to power, Dr. Ayine said he served as a key legal adviser to the party and its Members of Parliament, offering guidance on constitutional and legislative matters.
“From 2017 until we won the election, I was more or less advising the party in Parliament and the party itself on legal matters,” he explained.
He emphasised that the period sharpened his grasp of constitutional governance, legislative oversight and state accountability — core elements of the Attorney General’s mandate.
Rejecting suggestions that his elevation was sudden or politically expedient, Dr. Ayine insisted it was the result of sustained and intentional preparation.
“I had prepared myself for it,” he said, adding that his combined experience in academia, Parliament and executive government uniquely positioned him for the role.
As he assumes office, Dr. Ayine acknowledged the public’s expectations and is committed to upholding professionalism, integrity, and the rule of law in leading the country’s most powerful legal institution.