Ghanaians’ll lose confidence in justice delivery if rule of law isn’t applied fairly- Charlotte Osei
Former Chairperson of the Electoral Commission Madam Charlotte Osei says Ghanaians could lose confidence in justice delivery if the the principle of rule of law upon which democratic state like Ghana rests, is not applied fairly in the country.
According to her, the principle of rule of law presupposes that all men are equal before the law irrespective of status, creed or position in society.
Speaking in an interview monitored by African Editors on Wednesday 18 August 2021 in Accra, Lawyer Charlotte Osei said if the democratic principle of fairness is thrown to the dogs in justice delivery, Ghanaians will lose confidence in state institutions and such institutions are likely to lose legitimacy leading to insecurity”.
“If you can’t get justice because of your opponent’s affiliation, then it means you’ll find different ways of resolving them”, she Charlotte Osei said.
Meanwhile, Former EC has subtly reminded President Akufo-Addo to avoid selectivity and equally apply fairly, firmly and stamp his authority in all matters pertaining to citizens including his appointees.
According to her, the rule of law must be applied to all and sundry not according to the whims and caprices of any president, individual or group of individuals.
The latest comment by Mrs. Charlotte Osei follows President Akufo-Addo’s refusal fire Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman-Manu despite public outcry, anger after breaching procurement laws, Financial Management Act and commuting perjury by lying on oath before parliament’s ad-hoc committee tasked to probe Sputnik V. Vaccine deal.
In what appears to be her strong message to President Akufo-Addo to stamp his authority to be fair and firm in the application of Ghana’s supreme laws by immediately showing Agyemnu-Manu the exit for procurement breaches, Mrs. Charlotte Osei who was booted out of the EC for same reason said “Rule of law presupposes that all persons must be treated equally irrespective of your status or political affiliation.. so Rule of law must apply to all. This is equal to the Biblical dictum that you reap what you sow, you’ve sown it, so you harvest what you planted”.
Charlotte Osei noted that “If you don’t apply the law fairly, people will lose confidence in state institutions and those institutions will soon lose legitimacy and that has security implications for the future”.
Source : africaneditors.com
