Fine-Tuning Democracy

Prof. Justice A.K.P. Kludze yesterday critiqued important aspects of our democracy with observations which in our estimation are long overdue, especially emanating from a personality of his calibre. It is the umpteenth time that he is contributing towards the fine-tuning of our nascent democracy.

Our editorials have not lost sight of such observations as we continue to highlight factors militating against the progress of our democracy regardless of whose ox is gored.

Such observations isolate the challenges dotting our democratic journey towards the Promised Land of a decent governance system. Unfortunately, we appear to be light years away from this seeming Utopian aspiration.

A periodic review of how we have fared so far is highly recommended and could replace the picture of Utopianism with realism. With no dearth of personalities like the venerable Professor Emeritus Kludze and others, we can count on a wonderful array of knowledgeable sons and daughters of the soil to support us in charting a better governance path which has eluded us for far too long.

Although his presentation at the Institute of Economic Affairs-sponsored programme on post-electoral dispute resolution was randomly arranged, it covered the sore areas of governance in the country. The randomness underlying his presentation reflects the hydra-headed challenges we encounter in local politics, the addressing of which would define the success of our democratic experiment.

There could not have been a more appropriate subject of discussion than something pertaining to the acceptability of the verdict of the Supreme Court which is faced with arguably the most challenging case in the history of post-independence Ghana.

With chroniclers of Ghana's judicial history busy recording the goings-on at the Supreme Court, the judges do not need to be reminded about the importance of the assignment bestowed upon them.

The election petition hearing has reached a critical segment with the Star Witness completing his session in the dock and the man representing the President just beginning his turn.

Interesting days lie ahead as the petition hearing continues with the expectations of Ghanaians still at an all-time high.

Prof. Kludze has asked his compatriots to have confidence in the judges adjudicating in the high-profile case. Given his many years on the bench, we do not have doubts in his observations and would pray that justice which is being demanded by both sides of the political divide is served without fear or favour.

We have never had doubts in the ability of the judges to steer clear of arbitrariness, especially in a case upon which the future of democracy hinges.

When the people lose confidence in the judiciary, especially in an unprecedented case such as  we have on our menu today, the future of our democracy would be under an unusual threat.

Being mindful about our remarks as they pertain to the case ongoing, making informed remarks not prejudicial to the petition hearing are important in ensuring the sanctity of the case at hand. For the judges, all we expect of them is to adjudicate without fear or favour. This way judgment at the end of it all will be devoid of blemish and contributory towards the betterment of our democracy.

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