General News of Thursday, 29 August 2013

Source: GNA

GBA congratulates Supreme Court justices

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has congratulated the nine Justices of the Supreme Court for their endurance in sitting for long hours and patiently listening to the parties involved in the historical case before them.

In a press statement issued Wednesday said GBA also congratulates the opposing lawyers for their comportment even though there were heated exchanges at certain periods of the deliberation.

The statement said “GBA commends the contesting political parties for using due process to have their grievances resolved by Supreme Court and further restraining their members during the period”.

It said the conclusion of the process was a good omen for the courts and the administration of justice in the country as it showed that all misunderstandings can be resolved using the adjudicatory process enshrined in the constitution.

The statement said this was the first time the Supreme Court has tried a case by listening to witnesses in the full glare of television cameras and thereby allowing the general public to participate in the proceedings from their homes and offices.

It also congratulated the media “particularly the electronic for sacrificing their air space and time to enhance the democratic process”.

The statement said GBA commends highly the peaceful nature in which Ghanaians have followed the election petition, adding that “the Bar wishes to reiterate its call on fellow Ghanaians to be law abiding and allow the rule of law to prevail" as the justices get ready to deliver judgement.

It implored the security agencies to be extremely vigilant and professional in dealing with all issues before and after the judgement day.

“The need for us Ghanaians to uphold peace and the rule of law prior to and after the judgement day cannot be overstated. While we await the highest court to do justice in the name of the republic, may we live up to our names as a peaceful and democratic nation,” it said.