A Koforidua based Private Legal Practitioner Lawyer Isaac Minta Larbi has called on all Lawyers and well meaning Ghanaians to speak up against rule of law which has come under serious threat in recent years in Ghana.
He said President Akufo Addo has run democracy and rule of law aground which continue to worsen by day warning of dire consequences to democracy if not checked.
His comment follows arrest of 49 protestors on Thursday September 21,2023 in Accra.
The intended protest organized by “Democracy Hub” was against mismanagement of the economy and rising corruption.
But police filed prohibition order seeking to stop the protest on grounds that the Seat of government where the protestors intended to march to is security Zone but the protestors refused to change the destination for the protest compelling the police to charged on the protesters for mass arrests.
According to Lawyer Larbi ,”It is unfortunate that we are witnessing needless arrest of innocent citizens by the very police which has a duty to protect them.In fact let me remind the police that their job is to protect life and property.The power granted the police isn’t meant to be used to harass people, intimidate them or to engage in unlawful arrest”
He added “unfortunately this is what we are witnessing in a democracy that is more than 30 years old in Ghana since 1992.We even had a President whose background was from the military but we never witnessed such degradation of the principles of rule of law in Ghana but see how we are witnessing the unnecessary intimidation, harassment and unlawful arrest of innocent citizens”.
“This is the time for well meaning lawyers of this country to speak up like I am doing to ensure that our democracy is not derailed by self seeking individuals who happen to lead this country”.
“I also call on the youth not to feel intimidated at all but to rise to the occasion and resist oppressors rule as we are witnessing.Our 1992 constitution guarantees our right to demonstrate, to free speech, and to freely associate but unfortunately Ghana is experiencing a tyrannical democracy never seen or imagined to be possible in a democracy.This must end because this is not what Ghanaians bargained for when they voted for the NPP.Its time to change government so freedom can return to Ghanaians”
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
