General News of Monday, 12 August 2013

Source: PPP Communication Directorate

PPP: Let's ignore Sir John and protect our peace

The PPP has learnt about the invitation sent to Mr. Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie, the General Secretary of the NPP, and others for alleged uncomplimentary remarks about the Supreme Court Judges in the ongoing election petition.

The PPP, as a responsible political party, believes that the sanctity of the court should be supreme and they must be guarded and protected against any misguided and unwarranted statements and attacks by any individual or group of individuals be it a political party or otherwise.

The PPP believes that the punishment given to the two other contemnors was enough to serve as a strong warning to let everybody fall in line. The Court clearly demonstrated their ability to exercise its powers to punish anybody for contempt, which has indeed sanitized the political landscape.

The situation where party supporters gather either as an act of lawlessness and indiscipline or as they put it to "show solidarity" should be avoided at this critical stage when the Supreme Court is almost at the end of the case and the ruling is on the horizon.

While we believe nothing and indeed nobody can stop the Supreme Court from exercising its powers to punish for contempt if found to be guilty, an action to punish Sir John at this critical stage would only generate heat in the atmosphere and aggravate the worryingly high tension in the country at the moment.

The PPP recalls all the efforts made by the National Peace Council, the Justice & Peace Summit, the National Chief Imam, the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and a host of civil society organizations for the country to remain peaceful and united before and after the Supreme Court ruling.

Sir John could be left alone or punished after the ruling; after all the law is in the bosom of the judges and the Statute of Limitation cannot save Sir John from future punishment.

The PPP pleads with the Supreme Court to drop this case in order to sustain the peace we are currently enjoying as a country.

We remain committed to peace and the rule of law.