Don't Politicize Ruling - Former AG

A former Attorney General, Justice George E.K Aikins has cautioned the public against politicising the ruling in the case involving the former Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Cooperation (GNPC), Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata and the government.

Speaking at a symposium organised by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) on the legality on the Fast Track Court in Accra on Thursday he observed that the discussions and utterances by some government officials and politicians do not auger well for democracy in the country.

He said the ruling by the Supreme Court that the Fast Track Court is unconstitutional involves a lot of legalities that need to be understood by all before such argument could be made.

On the Fast Track Court he emphasised that the reasons for its establishment should not be sidelined to the detriment of the justice system in the country. The mechanisation of the court would reduce the workload of the Judges and other persons of the court as well as expedite the prosecution of cases. In this regard, Justice Aikins called on government to continue with the mechanisation of the court.

A legal practitioner, Nana Asante Bediatuo said the appointment of additional Supreme Court Judges to sit on the review of Tsatsu's case is only a constitutional demand for the petitioner to have a fair hearing. The appointment according to him is however subject to approval by the Chief Justice.

The Vice President of the GJA, Mr. Yaw Owusu-Addo said the GJA has decided to organise such forums to enlighten journalists on legal matters. He appealed to journalists to be objective in their reportage of cases before the courts.

In an unrelated development, a man of God has said it is unfortunate that people who preached probity and accountability in the past today hide behind technicalities to "cover some of their misdeeds."

Speaking to The Accra Daily Mail Pastor Bright Aduokyere it is about time Ghanaians woke up. "The accountability that we [demanded from] the leaders twenty years ago that some were [sent] to Teshie shooting range and shot without trial; we are expecting the same accountability on any former and present state official who has misapplied funds."

He suggested that immediately after a state official leaves office an audit should be conducted and if any malfeasance is detected, the law should deal with the culprit.

He said the spate of malfeasance being detected from former government officials could have serious effects on Ghana's economy because the donor communities could cease funding the country.