Tread cautiously in defining a man's conjugal rights

Accra, Sept.15, GNA- Mr Julius Ansah, a Presidential nominee to the Supreme Court, on Wednesday said setting the limits to a Ghanaian man's right to his wife's body should be done with caution. It would be considered unthinkable for some Ghanaians to be told that they cannot have an unlimited and uninterrupted access to their wives' body but the fact is that a man should have full consent of his wife before intimacy.

The Appeal Court Judge was among three persons who appeared before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee at the Parliament House in Accra. The nominee who was asked to express his views on marital rape by Mrs Edith Hazel, Member, Evalue Dwira, said women remain vulnerable and that interventions must be made to secure their health and happiness.

On corruption in the Judiciary, he said, it was more of a perception than a reality. He said that although certain committees or reports may have indicated the incidence of corruption in the Judiciary, no one has been able to make a specific case or identify specific person to prove it. He said rumours may be rife on the subject so he called for adequate remuneration for Judicial Staff keep them from doubt. He advocated that only those with high moral integrity should be employed by the Judiciary.

The Appeal Court Judge asked members of the Judiciary to resist at all times any attempt to corrupt them. Mr Ansah called for a review of the country's sentencing policy to make convicts more useful to society and themselves. He said victims of crime should be helped to either reconcile with offenders or be compensated where the crime results in a dent or loss in limb or property. He supported his opinions with Article 14(7) of constitution which makes it a possibility of applying to the Supreme Court for compensation by a victim who incurs a loss during a solved crime.

The Nominee called for the training of more judges to handle the many cases filed at the courts. He said government should build more Courts houses and equip old ones with modern documentation gadgets to increase the pace of trials. Mr Ansah, who is 54 years old, told the committee that, "he stands for hardwork, integrity and honesty." The father of nine may become the youngest member of the Supreme Court if given the nod by Parliament.