Death sentence is okay - Nominee

Accra, March 3, GNA - Mr Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, Deputy Minister of Justice-Designate, on Thursday said he did not see anything wrong with the imposition of death penalties on armed robbers to ensure the freedoms of people and society.

Answering a question before the Appointments Committee about his views on the introduction of death sentences to clamp down on armed robberies, the nominee said: "My views on death penalty has not changed... I have no sympathy for those who take lives....a little death sentence is okay... perhaps we should start oiling the gallows to teach them a lesson."

On how to attract young lawyers to the Attorney-General's outfit, the nominee said it was a real problem and suggested that some form of encouragement could be given through instituting book and clothing allowances for State Attorneys.

On some perceptions that there was corruption in the Judiciary, Mr Owusu-Ansah said he could not deny that there was corruption in the system because there were always bad nuts among every set of people. He expressed satisfaction that Parliament had done some work on the matter of corruption and sent a report to the Judicial Service. On delays in prosecutions, the nominee said shortage of staff and low remuneration were posing challenges, adding that there was the need to resource the Service to ensure that the country had a good judicial system running.

In answer to the law on wilfully causing financial loss to the State, he said once an individual had wilfully caused a loss to the State that individual must face the punishment.

When Mr Joseph Nayan, Deputy Volta Regional Minister-Designate took his turn before the Committee, he said he would work together with Regional Minister to ensure that there was peace in the Region.

The nominee, who was briefly questioned, said there were various committees set up to handle conflicts in areas such as Alavanyo, Nkonya and Krachie and he would support the effort to bring peace.

Mr Nayan is the Member of Parliament for Nkwanta-North, the only NPP seat in the Region.