The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has called for urgent reforms within Ghana’s justice system, insisting that the country must ensure strict adherence to due process and judicial independence.
According to him, recent developments surrounding high-profile court cases have raised concerns about fairness, competence and the equal application of the law, particularly in politically sensitive matters.
Speaking on Ekosii Sen on Asempa FM, the lawmaker said Ghana cannot continue to tolerate what he described as “petty governance” that undermines confidence in the country’s justice delivery system.
“There must be due compliance with the law. We have to look at our justice system and deal with the issue fundamentally. Let’s open a new chapter for this country and make a difference,” he stated.
Mr. Baffour Awuah questioned whether all Ghanaians are treated equally before the law, arguing that some recent judicial actions have created the perception of partisanship within the courts.
He noted that although the law presumes every accused person innocent until proven guilty, there are growing concerns about whether due process is always followed in practice.
“I think it’s time we all draw our attention to what is going on. The country has laws, but there are people who could possibly abuse the law, and the power to make the choice lies with judges in compliance with due process,” he said.
The MP further argued that high-profile political cases often expose alleged weaknesses and injustices within the justice system, raising fears about how ordinary citizens without political influence may also be treated.
“The bigger picture is that anytime there is a high-profile case in some of our courts, we get to see some of the injustices that happen there. We should all be concerned and begin to wonder what happens to the ordinary person who is not Abronye,” he added.
His comments come in the wake of the arrest and detention of Kwame Baffoe, the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, which has generated widespread political and public debate.
Mr. Baffour Awuah stressed that the judiciary must remain independent and resist any perception of political influence in order to maintain public confidence in Ghana’s democratic institutions.
“The court is meant to be independent. We can no longer reduce the governance of this country to such a level; we need to progress beyond petty politics. The repercussions of this situation affect far more people than just the political players. There must be strict adherence to the law.
“We need to reassess our justice system and address these issues at their core. Let’s open a new chapter for this country and make a difference,” he added.
Source: adomonline.com
