Political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Prof Ransford Gyampo, has called on the ruling government to remain cautious and tactful in its dealing with criminal cases in the country.

According to him, government must necessarily address matters pertaining to legal matters with decorum. He revealed that the trial of Gyakye Quayson has brought to bear the need to engage the minority to find a permanent solution.

“Politics of emotions, around this time, given recent event, my advice to the ruling NPP is that politics of emotions and vendetta must now give way to politics of reasoning and tactfulness…”
Prof Ransford Gyampo

Prof Gyampo indicated that if the NPP truly wants to be successful in the remaining part of its tenure, and is also interested in breaking the eight, then it should be “politically tactful and allow reasoning to prevail”.

“… Because there are certain things that when you allow to fester and go on for a long time, then they come back to haunt you and your political fortunes. I believe that they should be tactful and these things are resolved.”
Prof Ransford Gyampo

Commenting on the decision by the minority in parliament to boycott parliamentary proceedings, owing to the legal actions taken against some of its members, Prof Gyampo noted that the minority group has every right to solidarize with their leaders, especially when it has every cause to believe that members are being politically persecuted.

He explained that this also remains significant when the country equally has a hung parliament.

“… They have every right to show solidarity with their leaders and also members who they think are being politically persecuted. So, they have the muscle to flex and that is why they are flexing it.
“I also believe that maybe the way to go is not to throng to the venue of the court too much because the courtroom is not as big enough to accommodate all members of minority group…”
Prof Ransford Gyampo

Despite agreeing for the minority to solidarize with its colleagues beleaguered with legal actions, Prof Gyampo stated that the minority can equally resolve to find other means of addressing the problem. He indicated that minority members must also take cognizance of who they are and represent.

“What they need to do if they choose to go the route they have chosen will be to decide that if there wouldn’t be compromise, they can stay on the floor of parliament and still decide not to do business with the government. It is within also their right to do that but, at the end of the day, it is our interest that suffers because there may be things that government may want to do and would have to secure the approval of the House.”
Prof Ransford Gyampo

Impact of minority’s boycott on parliamentary proceedings

Furthermore, Prof Gyampo underscored that if the boycott continues and business decisions are stalled, it means people are going to suffer. In light of this, he expressed the need for both parties to find an amicable solution.

“So, I believe that there should be dialogue and those who have taken intransigent position must begin to move to the middle, so that at the end of the day, the two sides can talk…”
Prof Ransford Gyampo

Touching on whether the court is an appropriate place to settle the dispute than dialogue, Prof Gyampo revealed that indeed the courts are avenues for settlement of disputes but also, the court can be a place that can be used for political persecutions.

This, he indicated, holds true when there’s the perception that by certain commentaries and overtures that are displayed, people suddenly begin to lose confidence in the court.