Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo has asserted that morality is objective because the judiciary rejects subjective morality, while speaking at the Church of Pentecost’s National Development Conference in 2023.
According to the Chief Justice, the judiciary’s overall perspective is that the country has chosen to manage its activities in line with the rule of law.
She further stated that in accordance with Chapter 4 of the 1992 Constitution, the Judiciary has chosen to define its moral context from the basket of legality, provided to it in the constitution, from the statutes and enactments of parliament, from the rules and regulations of government institutions, and from customary law, which is a component of Ghana’s common law.
“Is morality, subjective? Can the determination of moral right or wrong be a matter of individual perception or allowing each person or interest group to decide the ethical content and contest which they wish to treat others and be treated themselves? Your excellencies and distinguished guest, I do not think so.
“To this extent, in the construction of the National Moral Vision that is to be undertaken through the conversations and discussions of this conference, it is my fervent hope that all issues will be examined in the sure foundation of law, equity and good conscience.”
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo
The elements of Ghanaian law, the principles of equity, and the innate ethical values that spring from good conscience, in her words, will bind Ghanaians’ hearts and minds and support a national vision of morality in the difference of ethnicities, belief systems, vocations, and talents.
“Such a vision can then drive them in which we walk, talk and work together. Thus, aiding us to uphold rights, give entitlements and insist on obligations, whether at home, workplaces or on the road. It is my suggestion that this is the sure way to weave harmony and coherence into the diversity we have in our beautiful country.
“In Isaiah 59: 14 -15, the prophet lamented; justice is turned back and righteousness stands afar of. For truth is fallen in the streets and equity cannot enter. So truth fails. And he who departs from evil, is made a prey. Then the Lord saw it and it displeased him that there was no justice.”
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo
Judiciary Agrees With Church
As stated by Justice Torkonoo, the judiciary and the church both believe that Ghana needs God’s grace, mercy, and blessing. If that is the case, she underlined the need of the nation working together to help everyone, regardless of their wealth or age.
Since the day she learned that the church of Pentecost was holding this national conference to explore the fusion of moral vision for national growth, she declared she has not stopped rejoicing and giving gratitude to God.
“When all legal principles and edits have been shown of their surrounding words and numberings, it is cleared that the constitutional mandate given to the Judiciary in article 125 of the 1992 constitution to administer justice, requires us to maintain and enforce a higher standard of ethical conduct in the nation on one hand and uphold the innate need of the human soul for justice on the other hand.
“This is a duty that every Judiciary shares with the church as an institution. Justice is a semiquinone for peace, stability and quality of life in any nation. In words attributed to Pope John Paul II, ‘if you want peace, work for it. A nation that loses its interest in the rule of law and delivery of justice, is one that sets itself up for destruction.”
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo
She further stated that seeking justice and investing in erecting the foundations of justice are ways to guarantee that the people will be taken care of in the future. She added that wealth cannot exist without peace, and that there can never be peace, unless the people are confident that they will not be denied their rights.
“This among other reasons is the reasons why I am exceptionally glad that this conference is addressing the matter of good governance and national development module, enabled only by moral vision,” she opined.
Government resolved to return economy to higher growth
The public was reassured by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia that the Akufo-Addo administration is working nonstop to revive Ghana’s economy.
Speaking at the 2023 National Development Conference of the Church of Pentecost, he said that raising the standard of living for Ghanaians has always been the aim of the state.
Dr. Bawumia attributed the nation’s economic woes to the Covid-19 outbreak and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, noting that Ghana had one of the world’s fastest-growing economies before the epidemic.
He stated that the government, following the recent IMF programme, hopes to “bring relief to Ghanaians and return the economy to the high rate of growth that characterised the management of our economy, in the three years preceding the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020. We are taking steps which are taming inflation and exchange rate depreciation and economic growth has also picked up.”
Dr. Bawumia added that the government will continue to support its initiatives for, among other things, the improvement of agricultural productivity to ensure the prospects for food security, the development and modernization of the educational system, and a comprehensive overhaul of the hospital system.
“I continue to have faith in God to help turn the fortunes of our nation around, accompanied by appropriate policy, determination and hard work on our part. I urge all of you to have the same belief that the fortunes of Ghana under President of Akufo-Addo will be restored.”
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
READ ALSO: Ghana Hailed By Amnesty International On Abolishing Death Penalty
