'Sanitise Judiciary To Deliver Justice'

A lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Mr Francis Kofigah, has called for the sanitisation of the judiciary to enable it play its independent role in the country’s democratic process.

He said the bastardisation of the judiciary was counter-productive, stressing that it was rather important for the people to make constructive criticisms rather than condemn such an important arm of the state.

Mr Kofigah, who was speaking at the annual 11th Constitution Week Celebration in Kumasi, said “the call for the sanitisation of the judiciary was the duty of all Ghanaians”.

The programme was organised by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in co-operation with Governance Africa Foundation.

Speaking on the theme:’ The State of Ghana’s Democracy,” Mr Kofigah expressed concern about the polarisation of the nation along party lines.

He said the situation could trigger trouble if not managed with extra care.

Mr Kofigah said there was the need for the institution of measures to prevent the interference with the judiciary and the work of the police, to bring justice to the fore.

Calling for the expeditious adjudication of electoral cases, the lecturer said tensions were already brewing and expediting action of electoral cases was one sure of easing the tensions.

“It would also make people to believe in the electoral system, while more people access the courts for justice” he said.

Mr Ernest Owusu Dapaah, Lecturer in Law, KNUST,for his part, called for the creation of Special High Courts in all constituencies to resolve electoral disputes instead of people travelling long distances to seek justice.

In her welcoming address, Mrs Augustina Akosua Akumanyi, Deputy Chairman, NCCE, said the constitution week was celebrated to examine ‘ourselves’ in the political arena.