Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Dame, has called on the Judiciary to uphold the law impartially, ensuring that justice is administered without being swayed by emotions, popular opinion, or public sentiments.
He made this statement during the Annual Conference of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG), held at the La Beach Hotel in Accra on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.
Addressing the conference under the theme “Improving the Security and Welfare of the Judiciary for Effective Justice Delivery,” the Attorney-General underscored the importance of the Judiciary’s role as Ghana heads into the 2024 general elections.
“Your Ladyship, the role of the judiciary in our society will become more pronounced as we go into the general elections of 2024. Vested with the power to adjudicate on disputes between the state and its organs, state and individuals and businesses, individuals and individuals or businesses, the Judiciary is required to be an impartial arbiter. Justice is dispensed in accordance with law and law only,” he emphasized.
Mr. Dame stressed the need for the Judiciary to remain firm in applying the law, noting that justice must be delivered without bias, regardless of one’s social status.
“There is the need to ensure that crime or wrongdoing does not go unpunished for any class of society, privileged or underprivileged. In this regard, judges must understand that they work in the overall interests of the State only,” he stated.
With the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections drawing near, the Attorney-General highlighted the critical role that the Judiciary will play in ensuring peace and stability through the fair and impartial dispensation of justice.
“As we once again prepare to usher ourselves into an important phase in the life of this nation with the conduct of presidential and parliamentary elections, it is even more important for the Judiciary to demonstrate that justice is dispensed according to law and not emotions, popular opinion, or public sentiments.”
Mr. Dame further warned against the rising tensions ahead of the elections, referring to certain actions aimed at disrupting peace and creating disorder.
“Respectfully, an unhealthy cycle in the life of the nation is occurring again. The drumbeats of violence, mayhem, incitement to violence, and civil disobedience are being beaten and indeed, have gone a notch higher. There are attempts to create tension ahead of the elections and instill fear into people through demonstrations which, in some cases, are a ruse for mounting an attack on the security forces of our nation and disrupting the running of essential public services. This, with the greatest respect, is not countenanced in any democracy.”
He urged the Judiciary to remain steadfast in upholding the law and ensuring that justice is served objectively, without succumbing to external pressures or social commentary.