Let Ghanaians see how Democracy works

It is a relief that Ghana’s Supreme Court has now set April 16  as the date to start hearing the petition filed by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to overturn the results of the 2013 elections. The delays have already made the Ghanaian judiciary the butt of jokes in Kenya where a verdict was delivered for a similar case within days of filing by Prime Minister Raila Odinga. We would, however, beg to differ with our Kenyan brothers and sisters further to reports by the Carter Center of its observations of the recent elections.

It is, however, unfortunate that the high court has frowned on telecasting the proceedings as was done in Kenya. Most Ghanaians and friends of Ghana think otherwise and Amandla shares the same sentiments.

For a case that has assumed such celebrity status after lingering for so long, advantages at bringing it to the people via television are legion. Until the hearing date was announced, tension in Ghana could be cut with a knife. And coupled with energy and water shortages exacerbated by crippling labor actions and a seeming ineptitude of the government, most Ghanaians believe that telecasting the case would loosen the anxiety felt by the people. The aforementioned is notwithstanding high unemployment and a cost of living that is directed toward the heavens.

The integrity of the Supreme Court is at stake in the case. It would therefore be in the interest of the august court to allow it to be observed live by Ghanaians and the world at large. It would affirm the independence of the Ghanaian judiciary. Telecasting the case would break cynicism among supporters of both political parties involved and Ghanaians and also avert any violent aftermaths.

The stubbornness of the court is akin to the intransigence of the chairman of the Electoral Commission Kwadwo Afari Gyan who went ahead to create 45 new constituencies against the advice of most Ghanaians. But easing up would be the natural way of accreditation by Ghanaians of the court and increasing confidence in the judiciary.

Kweku Baako, managing editor of the New Crusading Guide in Ghana believes the court only wants to maintain its conservative credentials. But should it be at the risk of its integrity and the potential of violence in the country? There is always a first time to everything and introducing communication technology at the Supreme Court should not be considered as an abomination by the honorable judges.

Ghana is a democracy and the people are supreme. The demand of the people is for the people’s court to go live for them to follow the hearings. The discomfiture of the judges with the cameras in the court should not prevail over the demands of the people of Ghana. We believe that institutions of state, including the Supreme Court remain at the pleasure of the people and not otherwise.

Amandla joins Ghanaians to appeal the court for reason and also to caution calm among Ghanaians.  

Let the cameras roll, your honors!!!

Posted by on Apr 13 2013. Filed under Editorial. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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