Former Justice of the Supreme Court, William Atuguba has bemoaned the current state of Ghana’s judicial sector.
Speaking at a public lecture organized by Solidaire Ghana in collaboration with the University of Ghana on the theme: ‘Protecting our democracy; the role of the judiciary’, October 24, he said “where Ghana stands now is a cause for grave lamentation.”
According to him, the increasing loss of hope of young Ghanaians and Africans in general in the democratic experiment as seen in their strong support for military juntas is a matter of grave concern.
Delivering the lecture in the Kofi Drah Hall at the University of Ghana, he noted that much of the disappointment with the democratic experiment can be blamed on the failure of the judiciary to assert itself by being impartial and independent.
He noted that particularly in Ghana, the political machinations of the executive have rendered the judiciary a rubber stamp leading to a waning belief in the country’s justice system.
He said the only way out is the “realistic auditing and restructuring of the Judiciary and indeed all other governmental institutions because just as the cyanide of illegal mining galamsey has devastated our forest lands and poisoned our water bodies so also has the cyanide of Political Corruption poisoned our Governance Institutions.”
He called for the total independence of bodies that make appointments to the judiciary and any other governance institution.
He said appointments must be “based on nothing but merit and not on things like protocol, cronyism, ethnicity, or other improper considerations.”
He added that the judiciary must be realistically insulated against presidential and other political pressures and service conditions must be reasonably attractive and security of tenure of office must be enshrined.
“The Executive Powers of the President and his functionaries must be drastically curtailed. There must be real separation of parliament from the Executive branch. The emphasis should be on good and sincere governance in the interest of the people and not on hollow over exaggerated notions of electoral conferment of power on anybody or group of persons,” he said.
Justice Atuguba added that “no meaningful political reforms can be reasonably expected even under a regime change without sustaining the Political Renaissance which has started and is growing well in Ghana.”
He urged the new vanguards of Ghana’s democratic experiment to remain nationalistic no matter the regime in power and continue their quest for true constitutionalism for the country.
Latest Stories
-
35th CIMG Awards: Full list of winners
1 hour -
The Multimedia Group wins big at CIMG Awards 2023
2 hours -
Bernard Mornah wins PNC flagbearship race
2 hours -
Video: Confusion at PNC National Executives election
3 hours -
Rapper E.L. joins King Promise as Guinness Accravaganza headliner for September 21 showdown
4 hours -
PNC Congress: Bernard Mornah leads in Greater Accra Region
4 hours -
Reject violence, divisive rhetoric, embrace peace ahead of elections – Bawumia appeals to Ghanaians
4 hours -
SEFF’s debut single ‘Father’ sets stage for bold new talent
6 hours -
Super typhoon Yagi kills four in Vietnam
6 hours -
Hollard Insurance-UENR Mentoring Day: Students urged to let hard work, integrity shine to advance career
6 hours -
2024/25 GPL: Vision FC opens campaign with draw against Berekum Chelsea
6 hours -
If Baba Yara pitch was good, Mumin clears the ball – Laryea Kingston
7 hours -
GPL 2024/25: Samartex begin title defence with draw against Dreams FC
7 hours -
Financing road construction and maintenance through a special fuel levy: A sustainable solution for Ghana’s road infrastructure
7 hours -
Ghana Celebrity Impact Awards 2024 launched to honor positive social influence
8 hours