Pentecostal Council denounces attacks on Judiciary

Accra, Sept. 8, GNA - The Ghana Pentecostal Council (GPC) on Wednesday expressed concern about the verbal attacks on the Judiciary following recent losses of high profile cases brought by the Attorney General against former officials in the erstwhile New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

A statement issued in Accra and signed by Apostle John Annan Addotey, President of the GPC and Apostle Samuel Yaw Antwi, General Secretary of the Council, said whilst the GPC believed every public official must account for his or her stewardship, the government should not pursue what might look like an agenda to jail their political opponents at all cost to please its followers.

The GPC said it particularly took exception to what was perceived as an ultimatum issued to the Chief Justice to purge the Judiciary, else the Executive arm of government would take it upon itself to do that.

"We are of the view that the call stands contrary to the tenets of the Fourth Republic Constitution and undermines the basic principles of good governance for which Ghana has become a beacon of good democracy on the continent of Africa."

The GPC also said such statements had the potential 93to embolden rogue elements" in society to take the law into their own hands, the result of which would tarnish the image of the government and the people of Ghana.

The statement commended President John Evans Atta Mills for assuring the Judiciary of his commitment to respect its independence and further urged him to reassure the general populace of such commitment through his actions.

The statement also called on judges to perform their functions in such a way as to instil the confidence of the Ghanaian 93in this noble institution and administer justice to all without fear or favour, knowing that they are firstly accountable to God from whom justice emanates, secondly to the people of Ghana and finally to their own conscience".

The GPC urged Ghanaians to be patient with the judicial process "which grinds slowly but surely".

"We should avoid politicising every issue in the country since such acts further polarise the nation, a situation which the Council had earlier had cause to draw attention to," the statement added.