By Dennis Peprah, GNA
Sunyani, (Bono), May 21, GNA – Mr Raphael Godlove Ahenu, a human rights advocate, has urged Ghanaians to rally to preserve the judiciary from political intimidation and mockery.
He emphasised that an independent judiciary remained integral in advancing and consolidating the gains of the nation’s democracy.
“It’s therefore imperative for every Ghanaian to protect the image, and preserve the judiciary from intimidations, mockery or undue influences,” Mr Ahenu, also the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Sunyani-based Global Media Foundation (GloMeF), stated.
The GloMeF is a human rights, anti-corruption and media advocacy non-government organisation.
Mr Ahenu also called on parliament to uphold highest standards of integrity, respect and responsibility while condemning alleged attacks on the judiciary by the minority in parliament.
In an interview with the media in Sunyani, he said: “The recent comments allegedly made by Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markins, the Minority Leader in Parliament against a circuit court judge are unfortunate, inappropriate, and threaten democratic governance and the rule of law.
“The comments of the Minority Leader have generated widespread public debate and criticism and undermined the independence of the judiciary and weakened public confidence in the nation’s democratic institutions,” he stated.
He described any attack on the judiciary as unacceptable and highly condemnable, saying that such verbal attacks remained inimical to consolidating the gains of the nation’s democracy.
“It’s deeply disappointing for a senior Member of Parliament (MP) and a Minority Leader to engage in comments or acts that appear to ridicule or attack the judiciary,” Mr Ahenu stated.
Mr Ahenu called on the civil society community, religious leaders and everybody to defend democratic institutions and promote respect for the rule of law, saying that, democracy flourished where institutions were respected and human rights protected.
He said: “That conduct is not only a disgrace to Parliament but also a dangerous signal to citizens who look up to political leaders for guidance and leadership.”
Mr Ahenu noted that though public officials had the right to express disagreement with “court decisions, such criticisms must be done within the boundaries of decency, legality, and democratic principles”.
He indicated that attacks on judges or judicial officers could erode public trust in the justice delivery system and thereby create “unnecessary tension between the arms of government.”
He advised: “In every functioning democracy, the separation of powers must be respected. Political leaders must avoid actions that may incite public contempt against judges or compromise the integrity of the courts.”
He called on political leaders to exhibit a high sense of political civility and maturity “at a time when citizenry expects accountability, transparency, and responsible leadership from them”.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Dennis Peprah
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