Professor Ransford Van Gyampo, a Political Science lecturer at the Department of Political Science of the University of Ghana has stated that the notion of judicial independence is undermined by discrimination of the judiciary in quickly hearing certain cases and delaying others.
He noted that this often makes it difficult for people to help the judiciary justify their independence.
According to Professor Ransford Gyampo, sometimes, the judiciary is very swift on matters that are not even about life and death. He emphasized that at some times too, it appears unwilling and lackadaisical in acting in matters that require timeliness.
“The examples are too many! When the Police want to frustrate harmless demonstrators who seek to exercise their rights peacefully, they are easily granted injunctions in a very timely manner. Let’s see how swiftly the Gyakye-Quayeson matter was dealt with and how the criminal aspect of his case is being handled on a daily basis”.
Professor Gyampo
Professor Gyampo however, contended that the date the judiciary has given to hear the case brought before it by the National Democratic Congress and other four political parties against the Electoral Commission on its limited voter registration exercise is very different from other related sensitive political matters.
He noted that by the time the matter is heard, the Electoral Commission would have completed what the parties were seeking to halt, pending the hearing of the matter, a situation he believes continues to increase the suspicion by some sections of the citizens that the judiciary is often biased in the discharge of its duty in favour of the ruling government.
“See how the NAM 1 Case that is about human life and blood has been dragged in court, almost in perpetuity. See how and when the judgement in the Domlevo case was given at a time when it was completely useless to the man”.
Professor Gyampo
Gyampo Calls For The Need To Protect The Sanctity Of The Judiciary
According to Profesor Gyampo, even though the constitution has clothed judges with the independence of the judiciary, it is a sacred responsibility for all citizens including members of the judiciary to protect the sanctity of the sacred institution.
“Constitution can cloth judges with independence and some of us can also speak up against acts that undermine the autonomy of the judiciary. Indeed, as a society, we must do all we can to keep the sanctity and respect for such crucial organs of government as the judiciary. But judges themselves also have a responsibility to deliberately act in a manner that guards against the derogatory, but sometimes deserving perception of their lack of total commitment, fairness, responsiveness and independence”.
Professor Gyampo
He therefore recommend that to avoid extreme bastardization of the judiciary by the general public, the judiciary itself must commit to discharging its mandate in a fair and just manner.
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