Silence of Political Parties on Judicial Scandal very Worrying - Prof. Karikari

Professor Kwame Karikari

Professor Kwame Karikari, a retired lecturer of the University of Ghana, has stated that “One of the very strange observations I have made is that – and I do sincerely hope I am wrong - none of the political parties has come out to condemn or say anything about the recent corruption scandal revealed by the ace investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, in the Judicial service.

Speaking at a short symposium organised by the Citizens’ Movement Against Corruption (CMaC), on the theme, “Enough is Enough”, Prof. Karikari urged the members of the movement to hold fast to their vision, remain focused and stand firm.

He said, “I think the particular matter that has brought us here is about some of the most powerful people in our society and if you are watching critically, you can see that reaction is gathering storm.”

Prof. Karikari cautioned that Ghanaians must guard against the act of sweeping under the carpet issues of national concern. He named some of them as lack of patriotism and acts of illegality, which he said must not be overlooked.

He commended some few politicians from some political parties, who have come out to make a firm statement that justice must take its course.

He observed “We know they are not the only corrupt people in the society, and they are not the only potentially corrupt, criminal people in society. This is why I am saying that it will not be surprising that if we do not stand firm, the powerful forces in this country will scuttle this matter, disgrace the Chief Justice, Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, and make nonsense of everything”

Prof. Karikari called on Ghanaians to stand firm and support the Chief Justice in her effort to clean up the canker.

He urged the media not to shift the attention on this issue while the civil society continues to raise issue of rot in judiciary.

“There are forces in this country who know how to divert attention by raising some other issues to provoke media discussion only to kill this judicial issue at hand,” he pointed out.

He advised that anti-corruption campaigns must keep going on to curtail the rot in society, and noted that “what we see today is just a tip of the iceberg”.

Prof. Karikari likened the lifestyle of corrupt people to the activities and behaviours of thieves and criminals who go into hibernation to plot and fashion out new ways of launching their new strategies and worse methods of operation.

He stressed that corruption in the judiciary is not only about money but also, about activities of traditional authorities, the clergy, Ministers who go to influence the judiciary so that important cases are swept under the carpet.

Describing this to be difficult for Anas Aremeyaw Anas to capture, he stated that “All these forms of corruption are taking place within the judicial system for which he encouraged members of the Citizens’ Movement Against Corruption (CMaC) to stand firm in their quest to deal with the issue of corruption.

He again cautioned that the day Ghanaians would stop anti corruption campaign, something worse than this judicial scandal will surface to shock everyone.

A member of CMaC Michael Apraku, said that those who have had a negative effect of corruption have thrown their hands up in despair and wondered whether corruption can really be fought all.

He however, stated, “We must first of all believe that we can fight corruption because if we don’t, we will only be going through the emotions and nothing happens.”

He encouraged the members to know that there are many people who do not have the voice and the platform they have now and for such reason they need to step up for the voiceless majority in society.

He mentioned renowned people who have sacrificed in various ways to keep this country forward to serve as an example for the educated youth to follow. Michael Apraku identified some of them as the first president of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Sgt. Adjetey and many others, urging Ghanaian youth to stand up and speak out that “Enough is Enough.”

He cautioned that if Ghanaians fail to call for institutional integrity and reforms for sustainable development, the next time people will rise to say enough is enough in this country, would be a time of riots amidst weapons of destruction.