Supreme Court Judge Scolds Governance Institutions

Mr. Justice George K. Acquah, Supreme Court Judge has blamed governance institutions for poorly participating in the 46th Independence Anniversary activities public lectures in Accra. He said, "It is disgraceful for governance institutions who are expected to understand constitutional issues and governance to be poorly represented at such a forum organized particularly for them."

The lectures under the theme, "The sustainability of good governance in Ghana - The way forward with governance institutions" was to herald activities marking the 46th independence anniversary celebration.

The lectures focused on the importance and attributes of workers of the governance institutions and provided them with information on their various roles in upholding the tenets and defence the Constitution.

With the exception of the Electoral Commission (EC) staff who came in their numbers other institutions like the National Media Commission (NMC), National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Judicial Service and the Parliamentary Service either were absent or sent insignificant representatives.

Mr. Justice Acquah who chaired the function urged staff of governance institutions to study the constitutional instruments establishing them to enable them to understand their functions, obligations and responsibilities. The Interim Chairman of Workers of Governance Institutions (WGI), Mr. Anthony Epkedzor, in his welcoming address, called on state institutions to develop networking modalities to build confidence, trust and deepen their co-operation to promote good governance in the country.

"The sustenance and development of democratic principles, rule of law and good governance in the country depends largely on the performance of governance institutions whose roles are vital ingredients for accelerated growth," he said.

Mr. Epkedzor, who is also an Electoral Officer at the Electoral Commission (EC), stressed the need for governance institutions to 'develop and maintain a highly professional and competent workforce and exhibit the right sense of personal integrity and fairness'.

The WGI he said was a networking platform for workers/members of then NMC,

NCCE, the EC, the Parliamentary Service, the CHRAJ and the Judicial Service.