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Opinions of Wednesday, 17 April 2013

Columnist: Asamoah-Siaw, Kofi

Akufo-Addo and Mahama Must Commit to Accept Verdict.

Election Petition: Akufo-Addo and Mahama Must Commit to Accept Verdict.

The PPP wishes to call on the parties in the presidential election petition to make an open declaration to accept the verdict of the Supreme Court. This has become necessary due to the increasing level of high political tension in the country as a result of the disputed presidential election and the unbearable economic and social conditions in Ghana. Already there is talk of a possible coup de tat by some prominent people in the society.

The 1992 Constitution enjoins all Ghanaians to accept, respect and obey the decisions of the Supreme Court. According to Article 2(3)(4), "Any person or group of persons of whom an order or direction is addressed under clause (2) of this article by the Supreme Court, shall duly obey and carry out the terms of the order or direction". And clause (4) "Failure to obey or carry out the terms of an order or direction made or given under clause (2) of this article constitutes a high crime under this Constitution and shall, in the case of the President or the Vice-President, constitute a ground for removal from office under this Constitution".

However, the refusal of any of the parties to accept the decision of the Supreme Court will have dire consequences for the Republic of Ghana. It is in this respect that the PPP finds it necessary to call on the parties to the petition to demonstrate enough commitment beyond reasonable doubt to accept unconditionally the ruling of the Supreme Court.

More importantly, the role of the security services cannot be over emphasized. The commanders and personnel of the security services are duty bound to respect and enforce the decision of the Supreme Court in consonance with their role to protect the sovereignty of Ghana at all times. The past conduct of the security services gives cause to worry about their loyalty to the State.

We urge our security agencies to consider carefully the sources of threats to our national peace and cohesion even when they emanate from within the government. We urge the security services to assure the people of Ghana of their impartiality in the performance of their duty especially during the trial and after the final declaration of the Supreme Court.

Ghana belongs to all Ghanaians and they must demonstrate unalloyed loyalty to the State and all it's citizens and not to the government and political parties. They should be fair and firm in the application of the law.

We also appeal to all civil society organizations, the religious bodies, National Peace Council, professional organizations to constantly remind and educate the parties and the entire population at the least opportunity on the need to respect the rule of law.

We are extremely happy that the Chief Justice has given the media access to the proceedings in the Supreme Court. We believe this will demystify the proceedings and disable propagandists from misinforming the public on what transpires in the Supreme Court.

We pray for our Supreme Court Judges to have the courage to be fair, firm and apply the law without fear, favour or political expediency.

We are wide awake and watching!

Kofi Asamoah-Siaw National Secretary PPP