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This Is Refreshing

By Daily Guide
Editorial This Is Refreshing
OCT 2, 2014 LISTEN

Bossman Osei 
'News of the gaoling of a District Chief Executive (DCE) and the arrest of the son of one, that appeared in the Daily Graphic , the Finder , Daily Guide and Ghanaian Times came as very refreshing.

'The arrest of the District Chief Executive's son in the Volta Region and the jailing of the DCE in the Central Region show that there is still hope for the criminal justice system to deal with the so-called untouchables.

'I only hope that the police in Dzodze will be firm in their investigation and not allow themselves to be cowed by anyone.'

Those were the words of an excited superior police officer, Mr Awuni Angwubutoge, ACP, after the law took its course.

It is indeed refreshing to witness some of these developments; they show, as the police officer noted, that there is hope after all for the rule of law.

As a police officer, his excitement might have been prompted by an experience he had with a politician or so who sought to interfere with his work—a common occurrence.

Many Ghanaians, especially law enforcement officers, are frustrated at the failure of the law to bite when it has to. Many factors account for the faltering rule of law in the country but one of the foremost is the impudence of political office holders.

The importance of the law in regulating our conduct in society cannot be overemphasised. But for the law our society would not have been any different from the animal kingdom, where the survival of the fittest is the order.

Unfortunately, we often pay lip-service to the rule of law. There have been instances where law enforcement officers were ordered to let go cases whose dockets were ready for court. Nothing can be more frustrating for a law enforcement officer than watch helplessly as a criminal is let off the hook, simply because a politician at the corridor of power has screamed orders.

DCEs appear to be gaining notoriety for such abuse of office in recent times. As representatives of the President in their areas of jurisdiction, some of them are oblivious of the workings of the law and often get carried away by the glittering of office.

The 'tweaa' DCE, whose arrogant display during a public lecture made national headlines, is an interesting case in point. He has though been reinstated after an earlier dismissal.

Following in his footsteps is the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Twifo-Atti-Morkwa, Mr Bossman Osei Hyiaman, who is currently doing a fortnight in prison for insulting judges and threatening to assault a court bailiff who had gone to serve him with a motion.

This is but a tip of the iceberg. There are countless instances of abuse of office by mostly political office holders not captured by the public radar.

It is important that all citizens, including judges, make the respect for the rule of law a cornerstone of their work. Only then can our society be on the path of development and growth.

It is our prayer that what we are seeing is not only a flash in the pan.

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