Despite its reputation as a democratic leader, Ghana is grappling with a worrying trend of politically driven prosecutions that endanger the integrity of its democratic institutions.
Behind the façade of legitimate legal processes, these trials serve as a tool to muzzle political adversaries, silence critics, and suppress dissenting voices.
Furthermore, governments may exploit trials as a means to neutralize political adversaries, solidify their grip on power, and perpetuate their political hegemony.
The ruling party may utilize trials as a means to stifle dissent, and conceal corruption or embezzlement by targeting political adversaries and whistleblowers with prosecution.
Likewise, politically motivated trials can serve as a tool for the executive branch to solidify its grip on power and control, rewarding loyal supporters while punishing perceived political foes and dissenters.
As such, weak judicial independence creates an environment where political pressure and bias can sway trials, eroding public trust and the legal system’s credibility.
In Ghana, where the President holds significant influence over the appointment of top officials, the judiciary often finds itself beholden to the government’s whims, compromising its independence and autonomy.
Moreover, Ghanaian governments have utilized trials to muzzle critical media voices, punish outlets that speak truth to power, and intimidate groups that oppose its policies or decisions, thereby stifling free speech and dissent.
Most commonly, trials are exploited to address past political vendettas, settling long-standing scores by targeting former political adversaries or opponents, under the guise of accountability.
Recently, political opponents have denounced the ruling government for allegedly engaging in political persecution, claiming that the ongoing trials are driven by political vendettas rather than legitimate legal proceedings.
As such, the MFC attributed the alleged political “witch-hunt” of Hopeson Adorye to his public criticism of the government and its policies, while the NDC countered that the trial of their parliamentary leader, Cassiel Ato Forson is driven by political revenge, suggesting it’s a ploy to settle past political grudges.
“Certainly, he’s not found himself in the good books of the government… Indeed, this is a political witch-hunting and also a diversionary tactic”.
MFC
Amidst claims of government-led “witch-hunting” Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, defended the Attorney General against accusations of conspiring to make false statements while acknowledging that some cases may be politically motivated.
“The AG is many things and he has lost some of my respect, but I doubt he would be this brazen to convince an accused person to “make false statements “against Hon. Ato Forson..I believe the Jakpa guy could have been approached to cooperate in exchange for a lesser sentence. But then, the case itself is politically motivated and must be discontinued”.
Franklin Cudjoe
Politically Motivated Prosecutions Undermine Justice
Politically motivated prosecutions supported by governments have severe repercussions, including the degradation of trust in the legal system and institutions, and the subversion of faith in the rule of law, leading to a dangerous erosion of the principles that underpin a just and fair society.
Furthermore, by targeting political opponents, critics, and dissenting voices through these trials, the government effectively suppresses political debate, stifles opposition, and creates a culture of fear and repression, where dissenting voices are reluctant to speak out.
Likewise, these trials entrench political oppression and authoritarian control, eroding the foundations of democratic governance and the rule of law and consolidating power in the hands of a few, thereby suffocating the very essence of democracy.
Moreover, these trials blatantly disregard human rights, including the fundamental right to a fair trial, freedom of expression, and political liberty, and are often characterized by selective prosecution, where political adversaries are targeted with charges while loyalists and allies are granted impunity, perpetuating a gross injustice.
These trials frequently feature trumped-up charges, tainted evidence, and extracted confessions, as exemplified by the allegations of coercion leveled against the Attorney General in the Ato Forson Ambulance case, where it is claimed that a forced confession was to be made.
Furthermore, these trials are often tainted by unfair legal proceedings, featuring biased judges and prosecutors, and are frequently characterized by a lack of accountability, allowing those who exploit the legal system for political gain to escape consequences.
Politically motivated trials in Ghana are an affront to justice and democracy. They undermine the rule of law, suppress political dissent, and reinforce political repression.
To address this issue, Ghana must strengthen judicial independence, ensure fair legal proceedings, and protect political freedoms.
As such, Ghana can consolidate its democratic gains, promote justice, and ensure accountability for all citizens, regardless of political affiliation.
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