Kwaku Baako shocked at SC's refusal to grant live coverage

Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr, Editor-in-Chief of the Crusading Guide newspaper, has expressed “surprise” at the Supreme Court’s refusal to allow live telecast of the proceedings.

He asked how televised coverage could adversely affect the outcome of the proceedings. In his view, the Judges voted the way they did just to remain conservative.

Allowing live coverage of the proceedings would have enhanced transparency, which in turn would throw light on issues and help undermine ignorance and mischief, he added. He was speaking on the Kokrokoo on Peace FM, Wednesday.

He however stressed he was not making these points to suggest the process would not be transparent because it will not be telecast live.

But in another breadth, he applauded the Court for fixing a date to begin hearing the substantive case.

He observed, there is a sense of relief among Ghanaians following the Supreme Court’s decision to sit on the substantive matter on April 16.

In the absence of this, there was a certain sense of anxiety and uncertainty, he said. According to him, this was not helping the President with the peace of mind to govern the country.

But pointing to Constitutional Instrument (CI) 74, where a section states “The Court shall sit from day to day, including Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays”, he described the Supreme Court’s decision at one point to adjourn hearing because of the Easter Holiday’s, as wrong.

He said this could provide legitimacy for people to complain about delays because it is not in line with the “spirit of the law”.