The political revitalisation Ghana is currently undergoing must be kept in motion to ascertain the needed reforms expected for Ghana’s democracy to thrive.
This assertion by former Justice of the Supreme Court, William Atuguba, has necessitated his encouragement for some persons who have persistently and objectively criticised leadership to shape policies and put other things in the right perspective.
“…no meaningful political reforms can be reasonably expected even under a regime change without sustaining the Political Renaissance which has started and is growing well in Ghana,” the revered justice has indicated.
Speaking at the Solidaire Ghana and the University of Ghana’s public lecture on the theme: ‘Protecting our democracy; the role of the judiciary’, Tuesday, October 24, 2023, Justice Atuguba named the likes of Prof. Ransford Gyampo of the University of Ghana as one “proper” man whose effort in shaping the fortunes of the country with his activism is not going unnoticed.
“It is for this reason that I would like to acknowledge, encourage, and congratulate nationalists like Professor Ransford Gyampo, I have never seen him but I have followed him on social media, I understand he is in the political science department of the University of Ghana, I will find time and get to know him, he is a proper man, very fearless and impartial, that is the most important thing.
Mr Atuguba also mentioned “Kwasi Pratt, Dr. Arthur Kennedy of the USA, Prof. Bokpin of the University of Ghana, Prof Agyeman-Duah of the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), recently Dr. Amoako-Baah rtd, formerly of the Political Science Department, KNUST., Kwame Pianim, Dr. Nyaho-Nyaho Tamakloe, Kelvin Taylor of the USA (though he should desist from insults), Emmanuel Wilson Jnr. The Chief Crusader Against Corruption in Ghana. I don’t know most of these people I have mentioned personally but I have followed their works on social media, and I am impressed, however I hope that they will remain nationalistic no matter the regime in power.
“I also wish to acknowledge some of the many Civil Society Organisations such as Ghana Centre for Democratic Development, Ghana Integrity Initiative, Citizen Ghana Movement, Africa Centre for Energy Policy, Parliamentary Network Africa, Penplusbytes, Media Foundation for West Africa, Send Ghana, One Ghana Movement, Centre for Democratic Development, Democracy Hub, Occupy Ghana, and Institute for Democratic Governance. I regret I cannot recall all of them but nonetheless, none of them should feel excluded.”
According to Justice Atuguba, the governance institutions, particularly the Judiciary, must be realistically insulated against presidential and other political pressures.
He said the service conditions must be reasonably attractive and security of tenure of office must be enshrined.
“The Executive Powers of the President and his functionaries must be drastically curtailed. There must be real separation of Parliament from the Executive branch. The emphasis should be on good and sincere governance in the interest of the people and not on hollow over exaggerated notions of electoral conferment of power on anybody or group of persons,” the presiding judge of the 2012 presidential election petition noted.
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