Chief Justice cries over corruption

The Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood, has expressed concern over the increasing rate of corruption in the country today.

According to her, the current level of corruption, if not checked on time, could pose a danger to Ghana’s infant democracy and peace, urging the entire populace to unite to help combat the corruption menace.

“Corruption has been identified as a main obstacle to peace, stability, sustainable development, democracy and human rights,” she said in a statement read on her behalf at the Chief Justice’s Forum-Staff Edition in Kumasi.

The Chief Justice was of the view that Ghanaians as a people should be worried about the increasing rate of corruption in the country now, especially considering its devastating effects on the country’s developmental aspirations.

“We have every cause to worry as a nation, as corruption appears to pervade every corridor of our national lives. The truth is that slowly but steadily this canker is threatening the very fabric of our society.

“Don’t let anybody or anything lure you into thinking that the solution lies exclusively in the political elite, the big people, the leadership in institutions. In truth, anything which affects our society has direct bearing on you and your families, so you are very much a party of the solution.”

Justice C.J. Honyenuga, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, spoke on behalf of the Chief Justice at the programme which was organised for court staff in the Ashanti and Brong- Ahafo Regions in Kumasi.

Under the theme, ‘Integrity: The Key to Effective Justice Delivery’, the forum was among other things aimed at affording the Chief Justice the opportunity to admonish the court staff as to what they should do to be efficient in their delivery.

Georgina Wood described judicial corruption as the worst form of corruption, saying, “an unreliable judiciary undermines the rule of law, peace and stability and sustainable national development. Let other institutions lack integrity, but not the judiciary.

“It is the lead and key institution in fighting corruption, crimes of every kind, impunity, restoring lost rights and liberties, and indeed the institution that fights all the indignities that erode the God-given rights of human beings.

“Remember that when all other protections fail, it is the judiciary that should provide solace, comfort and hope to the individual,” the Chief Justice emphasised, attracting applause from the gathering.

Nene Amegashi, National President of the Ghana Bar Association, who chaired the event, disclosed that Ghana was currently facing integrity crisis and charged the citizenry to collectively work to address the situation.

Rev Prof Seth Ayittey, who was the Special Guest at the event, stated that corruption was high in the country now, noting that “we should act now to avert the evil from taking over Ghana.”

According to him, Ghana needs men and women of integrity who can withstand the temptation of corruption, in order for the country to achieve its developmental goals.