Unwarranted assault on judges by a timorous soul

The judiciary, just like the other arms of government, plays a very pivotal role in any nation's democracy, and Ghana is no exception.

Unfortunately, the persistent vicious attacks on the judiciary are becoming very worrying, constituting a serious threat to Ghana's fragile democracy.

Undoubtedly, the judiciary is not above criticism, especially those that would help shape it and improve upon the discharge of its constitutional mandate of administering justice.

However, if such criticisms turn out to become persistent and unjustifiable attacks and threats, they tend to undermine the rule of law and create public hatred for the judiciary.

It was very worrying when people who ought to have known better threatened the judiciary with the infamous "there are many ways of killing the cat" comment. But the recent attacks by a panelist on an Accra based radio station is extremely unwarranted and dangerous, and so must not be encouraged at all.

Whilst condemning such attacks, there is the need to ensure that the culprits are brought to book, and not allowed to have their way by just apologizing, so we don't set a bad precedent for ourselves.

It is in this regard that we welcome the call made by the Ghana Bar Association for the arrest and prosecution of the person involved.

There are laws in the country that criminalize such unguarded statements and must be applied accordingly, irrespective of which party one belongs.

Let us not forget that such dangerous comments can lead us into tearing down the very institutions that the good people of this country have mandated to safeguard our current constitutional dispensation.

Lest we forget, Ghana woke up on June 30, 1982, to the brutal murder of four eminent Ghanaians, after having been abducted from their homes during curfew hours. The four were Justice Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, Justice Kwadwo Agyei Agyepong, Justice Fred Poku Sarkodie and Major Rtd. Sam Acquah. Never again should we allow ourselves to witness such dark days. Ghanaians will never allow a revisit to that era.

In this regard, we urge all members of the Judiciary to remain steadfast and go ahead with their duties without any fear. They should never feel intimidated by the current incessant attacks on them from some timorous souls while carrying out their constitution mandate of dispensing justice to the good people of Ghana.

At the same time, call on the Government and the Inspector General of Police to ensure adequate protection for the Chief Justice, as well as all other members of the bench, to enable them have the peace of mind they need to carry out their work without being influenced in anyway by threats from any group of people or individuals.