Is Justice for Sale in Ghana?
- September 27, 2019
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: IJRISS, Religion & Society, Religion and Cultural Studies
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue IX, September 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186
Anthony Kofi Anomah
PhD Candidate, Department of Religious Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana and Rector of the Spiritan University College, P. O. Box 111, Ejisu Ashanti, Ghana
Abstract:-The materials in this article dates back to 1990 when Ghana was only 33years as an independent nation. However, at 62 years, the prevailing situations in the country has not changed significantly from what it was about 30 years ago. A lot of the issues encountered in those days are still present with us. Some of the issues that the country is currently battling with are corruption, nepotism, cronyism favouritism, injustice and underdevelopment. The promised land envisaged by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and subsequent leaders are yet to be attained. In this article, the writer re-visits the dreams of the leaders in terms of the definition of justice and the practice of justice prevailing then and now and comes to the conclusion that there is still much to be desire if Ghana is to attain the vision of freedom and justice envisaged for the people of Ghana in the twenty-first century. The perception among many Ghanaians is that the country as a whole is corrupt with corrupt and unjust leaders beginning from the Executive, Judiciary, Parliament and the ordinary citizen. Thus, many resort to instant justice instead of going to the court because they believe the judicial system favours the strong and the rich at the expense of the weak and the poor.
The writer is of the view that the majority of the citizenry should have access to legal aid and extrajudicial dispute resolution mechanisms; fast-track adjudication of justice and removal of all bottlenecks to the administration of justice.
Key words: Justice, Peace, Freedom, Injustice, corruption.
I. INTRODUCTION
The materials in this article dates back to 1990. However, as I reflect on current happenings in Ghana, I find it relevant even as I write today, because the prevailing situation almost three decades ago, is still present in our society. Injustice and corruption in high places are the order of the day. Never would a day pass by without a news headline of one scandal of corruption, abuse of power, conflict of interest or injustice of various forms in the radio waves television and the print media. Governments since independence from the British rule on 6th March 1957 through the revolutionary days of the AFRC/PNDC till the 4th Republic Constitutional era have declared war against corruption and injustice but have they succeeded in curbing the cankers?
