The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has urged judges to be fair in their judgements.
He said no matter the parties involved in any case brought before them, fairness should be their ultimate objective.
“The judiciary should take measures to build confidence from the people by opening up to criticisms, keeping their verdicts consistent and ensuring fairness regardless of the parties involved,” Mr Nketiah urged.
He added, “Judicial independence means freedom from political, financial and personal influence, but it does not mean freedom from ethical standards, transparency, consistency or public accountability. Public confidence must nevertheless be taken seriously.”
The NDC’s National Chairman stated this while addressing the audience during the Democracy Dialogue organized by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation on August 11.
The dialogue was held at Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria. It was under the Theme: “Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties and the Judiciary Save African Democracy?”
Speaking on the theme, Mr Nketiah noted that the judiciary is indispensable in a democracy because political competition inevitably produces disputes over elections.
“Ghana’s presidential election petitions following the 2012 and 2020 elections demonstrated that even the highest political disagreements can be transferred from the street to the courtroom.
The 2012 petition was dismissed by a five-to-four majority after an extended hearing, while the 2020 petition was unanimously dismissed by the Supreme Court. The parties complied with both outcomes, even where they disagreed with aspects of the procedure and reasoning,” he cited.
Mr Nketiah noted though that, “Respect for the authority of the courts does not require political actors to surrender their right to criticise judicial reasoning. Legitimate criticism is part of constitutional democracy; intimidation, threats and personal attacks are not.”
Mr Asiedu Nketiah further called on the leadership of political parties to change their reason for existence.
He said political parties in Africa present themselves as just election machines instead of development agents.
“We must move away from political parties being merely election machines, they must do more including policy and government checks,” he said.
The National Chairman of the NDC stressed that political parties and the judiciary can save African democracy only if they first reform themselves.
“Political parties must cease to be seasonal electoral machines and become permanent democratic institutions. The judiciary must remain independent of political power while providing remedies that are impartial, accessible, timely and convincingly reasoned,” he stressed.
Mr Nketiah added that, “The future of African democracy will not be secured merely by conducting more elections. It will be secured by institutions that make elections meaningful, government accountable, constitutional limits effective and peaceful transfers of power normal.”
He cautioned political parties to remember that power is temporary and that the state belongs to the people, adding that the judiciary must understand its strongest protection not as the goodwill of political leaders, but the confidence of citizens in its independence and integrity.
“When parties respect constitutional limits, courts administer justice without fear or favour, governments deliver material progress and citizens remain engaged beyond election day, democracy becomes more than a procedure. It becomes a durable system of public trust, peaceful competition, accountable authority and national development,” Mr Nketiah advised.
Please read full speech HERE:
