AT THE MERCY OF THE JUSTICES

I don’t think any of us thought and expected that the 2012 general elections in Ghana could end up in the Supreme Court. As to whether we did or not, it apparently ended up in the Supreme Court with petitioners from the New Patriotic Party(NPP) resorting to the Court for their grievances in the that very elections to be addressed.

Per the provisions of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the winner of the election is to be sworn in as the President of the Republic of Ghana regardless of any questions that might have arisen from the polls. However, the Constitution creates room for anyone who seems not satisfied with the results to challenge the President. According to Article 64(1): “ The validity of the election of the President may be challenged only by a citizen of Ghana who may present a petition for the purpose to the Supreme Court within twenty-one days after the declaration of the result of the election in respect of which the petition is presented”.

From the above, it clearly indicates that the flag bearer of the (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo and others who petitioned the Court were right in that regard to challenge the current president, Mr John Mahama in court as the one who won the elections.

One principle that seems to fascinate some Ghanaians is ‘ Equality before the law’. With this, one’s age, social standing, academic records and personal achievements, creed, political affiliation are made to diminish within a twinkle of an eye.

‘Great’ men who command authority in their various fields of endeavour are made to look like “toddlers” who are helpless without the support of their mum or dad but the positive aspect of this is the kind of circumspection that Ghanaians are being exposed to when dealing with an issue which is quite “volatile” and sensitive in nature.

Since action speaks louder than words, some individuals have fallen foul of the Court already. The likes of Ken Korankye, the Managing Editor of the Searchlight and Mr. Steven Atubiga have gone behind bars for 10 and 3 days respectfully for certain derogatory comments made which were contemptuous of the Court in the on-going landmark case....