Culture Of Protectionism And Favouritism

-killers of the rule of law and a menace

to good governance

by Samuel Donkor

Protectionism in political circles, protectionism in governments, protectionism

in institutions, protectionism in families, protectionism in social circles, all

in the name of goodwill and good image, which has become a growing negative

phenomenon in this country, is really a serious menace to the good governance

and the rule of law we are all crying for.

For many years now, the rule of law has never existed fairly in this country

Ghana, hence the bad governance, high rate of crime, endemic corruption,

lawlessness and administrative frauds prevailing. The decadence in the moral

fiber of the people, the care-free attitudes and arrogance, all of which come

with indiscipline, has reached a peak the present government is finding it

difficult to fight against and which no government can fight without pragmatic

exemplary leadership and sacrifice.

All these problems have come about from political, official and unofficial

protectionism and favouritisms that have prevailed under successive governments

which have been unchecked up to this day.

Under many governments in Africa and Ghana inclusive, the rule of law is

perverted. Political leaders and officials involved in corruption and other

fraudulent acts go scott free unpunished. Public officials involved in

embesslements are exonerated by technicalities in the laws. Persons involved in

rape and defilement cases are prevented by families from prosecutions, all in

the name of good family image and compensations.

Criminals with connections in the government and judiciary are never prosecuted

and walk the streets of the cities freely with impunity. Politicisation of

criminal offences is the worst killer of the rule of law.

Such actions has made people in government, their relatives and persons with

connections in government and the police service untouchables and seem to be

above the laws of the land in the eyes of the people. Such is the bad governance

affecting the country's progress , law and order.

The rate of protectionism and favoritism rose high immediately the military

regimes came into governance and has since then developed into a negative

phenomenal practice, which has also encouraged indiscipline, as a result, such

persons walk about with care-free attitude and disrespect for law and order.

How can good governance and discipline prevail, when a few public officials,

politicians and their cronies take the people for a ride, as far as the rule of

law is concerned.It is well known the World over, that one of the basis for good

governance, progress in development is the rule of law, where no one is above it

. When this fails, the nation is doomed.

On the basis of such protectionism and favoritism common in our society, a

reknowned writer, John Rafety wrote enquote: ' Individual criminals are still

thrown behind bars or shot on the streets.But a member of organized crime or a

criminal with government connections is seldom arrested. If arrested, he is

rarely indicted, if indicted rarely brought to trial. If tried, rarely

convicted. If convicted, rarely imprisoned. If imprisoned , quickly released'.

enquote.

This is what is being practiced in Africa and for that matter, in Ghana for many

years now, and if not checked and discontinued, this country will never move

forward.Persons should be made to account for their own deeds and actions,

commissions and omissions and allow the rule of law to prevail for the country

to move forward.

Governments should stop the practice, where their cronies and relatives are

protected or favored, when criminal allegations and other offences are found

against them The rule of law should be allowed to take its course and

institutions made to perform diligently without official or family interference

and without fear or favor.

Today we see many people who have looted this country, billions of cedis and

other offences, by party faithfuls and public servants against the state,

walking freely on our streets, length and beath of this country, with impunity

and as untouchables.

In countries where culture of protectionism and favoritism are practiced or

prevailing, there is public disrespect for the rule of law, there is endemic

corruption; people refuse to report crimes to the police, and the tendency to

instant justice and mob actions against culprits, become the order of the day.

Police -public relations become strained and the image tarnished. Our leaders

must be serious and stop interfering in the institutions set up to put

discipline and order int our society.

I write you he truth, God is not mocked, 'Whatever that a man soweth, that shall

he also reap.' Galatians 6;7

Samuel Donkor Mob:0242809352 .