Konadu decries justice in Ghana

Former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings is unhappy with the pace and direction of justice adjudication in the country, particularly about her numerous cases in court, pointing accusing fingers at the judiciary and government.

Mrs. Rawlings, President of the revolutionary red-bereted 31st December Women's Movement said the cases she had initiated against government were virtually stalled, denying her and people close to her access to justice.

The Daily Guide newspaper says the former First Lady told a Kumasi based radio station on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 that cases initiated three years ago had still not received attention, blaming the late Chief Justice, George Kingsley Acquah for her ordeal.

The President of the 31st DWM is facing criminal charges for allegedly causing financial loss to the State in the divestiture of Nsawam Cannery to Caridem Development Company, the investment arm of the DWM.

The Daily Guide says however that Nana Konadu's effusions were rubbished by George Ayisi Boateng, a Kumasi based NPP big wig.

He told Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings "to go to hell" if she was not comfortable staying in the country under the Kufuor administration.

Mr Ayisi Boateng was reacting to what he described as "provocative outbursts of Mrs. Rawlings' on Fox FM, a local radio station in Kumasi.

The former First Lady had wondered why a case brought before the court by a brother of the President - obviously referring to Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, Defence Minister could be determined within three days while her cases had dragged for three years without judgment.

Nana Konadu therefore accused the authorities of nepotism and tilting the dispensation of justice in favour of others whilst her family and other people in opposition were denied fair trial and justice in the courts.

She urged President Kufuor to keep preaching democracy to a section of the people and inflict pain on others if that was how a nation was governed.

She said although her family was not comfortable and happy with the situation, she had no option but to stay in the country and cope with the condition, stating further that not even the President could drive her away from the country.

The paper says Nana Konadu said until the country got a completely independent judiciary in place, it would be difficult contesting a case with the government and people connected to it and win a case.

In one particular case, the former First Lady criticized the presiding judge, Justice Paul Baffoe Bonnie of refusing to determine a civil case that was first brought before his court.

According to her, her lawyers had appealed to the Court of Appeal to restrain Justice Baffoe Bonnie from continuing with the criminal aspect of the case to ensure its speedy adjudication.

She blamed the prolonged determination of her cases in the court on the late Chief Justice Acquah for failing to engage a judge to determine them.

Angered by these remarks, Mr Ayisi Boateng, a regular panelist of the radio station took the former First Lady on, warning her not to spoil his day with her assertions.