Chief Justice, Kwesi Anin-Yeboah, has pledged support of the judiciary in ensuring that the national security strategy of the country is implemented and judges continue to implement the law fairly.
Justice Anin-Yeboah revealed that in an evolving global situation where threats are manifold and diverse, the strategy is a “critical intervention” that will help citizens “sleep a little better at night”. He commended the National Security Minister, Kan Dapaah and the leadership of the National Security Ministry for their vision and patriotism in making this possible.
“Mr Minister, I assure you, the judiciary will play its role as imposed on us by the constitution. Colleagues, I do not think that I need to remind you of the critical role you play in the national security infrastructure. While the threats are in a state of constant evolution, one thing remains constant, and that is the fact that the law is one of the major tools that we have to use to combat them”.
Kwesi Anin Yeboah
The Chief Justice concerted that national security ministry alone cannot be entirely responsible for the implementation of the strategy. In lieu of this, Justice Anin-Yeboah noted that, an integrated policy of such nature requires an integrated approach. With this, he indicated that the ministry is seeking to engage the judiciary as necessary partners, for the successful implementation of the policy.
“As the guardians of law and justice in our country, I believe it is only right and proper that we are fully engaged in this process. Indeed, the ministry had previously engaged the judiciary Council and [it] represents another step in this journey of continuous engagement in the collective service of our motherland”.
Kwesi Anin Yeboah
The decisions that are taken by national security officials, Justice Anin-Yeboah expressed, must be done in the light of what is lawful. He explained that where there are conflicts between the rights of individuals and the security of the state, it is the court’s rule that those tensions will be resolved.
“This is why this interaction is absolutely essential. I wish to urge you, therefore, to commit to this process wholeheartedly and to engage frankly and enthusiastically with officials from the national security. We wish to assure the minister and his team that we recognize that our partnership is of key significance to our collective survival and we will work very closely with them to ensure the success of this new integrated national security strategy”.
Kwesi Anin Yeboah
Judiciary cautioned against injustice
On his part, National Security Minister, Albert Kan Dapaah, cautioned the judiciary against any form of injustice. He explained that injustice occasioned as a result of the absence of an effective justice delivery system or delayed justice or biased justice is a threat to national security.
“Indeed, when injustice abounds, particularly in situations where the bench, which is considered the final arbiter of disputes, is deemed biased, citizens tend to take the law into their own hands most times without recourse to the established systems of justice delivery”.
Albert Kan Dapaah
Mr Dapaah emphasized that the judiciary’s role is crucial in safeguarding the security of the nation. As such, there is the need to have proper engagements that can sensitise judges to be able to deal with emerging threats that come to them.
“Justice is the foundation upon which the rule of law, equality before the law and fairness of the law are established. The failure of the criminal justice system to ensure effective and expeditious trial of criminals adversely impacts the morale of law enforcement agencies, emboldens criminals to perpetrate more crime, and breeds lawlessness among the citizenry; developments which threaten the internal security of the State”.
Albert Kan Dapaah
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