Geneva: Transitional provisions inserted in Ghana’s constitution, violates the principles of fundamental human rights and must be expunged with-out delay, to help right the wrongs of the past, says a Human Right Watch Activists. . “Rule of law should have to prevail over the rule of the jungle; and justice delayed, is justice denied;” says the activist, Mr. Kwaku Boatin

This is contained in a four-page memorandum under the heading “Ghana@50 festivities--My memo”, addressed to Ghana government, and submitted through the country’s Ambassador to Switzerland, Mr. Kwabena Baah-Duodu, in Geneva.

Mr. Boatin indicated that, the imputation of the provisions, which seeks to protect among others, the deeds of the erstwhile Fl-lt Jerry Rawlings/Captain Boakye-Djan’s Armed Forces Revolutionary council (AFRC) and its subsequent PNDC, would allow all aggrieved persons who were denied justice, because of the said provisions, to seek redress in court.

. He referred to the deportations of some Ghanaians to the United States, mostly men from Ghana’s Security Service, during the turbulent years under ex-chairman Ft-lt Rawlings rule, for allegedly spying for US and said “these are some of the cases which must go under review in the courts.

“They must be given the chance to seek justice in the courts, and when proved non-liable, be rehabilitated and compensated by the state”.

(On June 4th 1979 Rawlings, then an Air Force Captain, took over the reigns of power; On 24th September, 1979, his AFRC handed over to the civilian Government, regaining power through military putsch, on 31st December, 1981 and ruling with iron hands; re-inventing into civilian President to have a total ruling period of nearly two decades). Mr. Boatin said even though a national reconciliation program had elaborately been initiated, thanks to President Kuffour’s government, and its purpose of healing the wounds of the past, presumably achieved, reminiscent of that of South Africa, which was initiated by the famous Noble Prize Winner Bishop Desmond Tutu, true justice must be given a chance to be administered. The memorandum called on the government to strengthen further its national security programs to help protect Ghana’s constitution from any form of violations and acts of subversion, and urged it to pursue vigorously democratic principles as outlined in the constitution. He stressed that, “What happened in Ghana’s history, a group holding a whole nation to ransom, under the guise of patriotism, should never be allowed to happen again; rampant military interventions in Ghana’s political system, undoubtedly, turned clock of development and progress backwards: resulting in socio-economic political deficits, bringing no gains and profits to Ghana. “The Armed Forces should rather continue to play its traditional role; protecting the territorial integrity of state, not (repeat not) to meddle in national politics. “It is equally regrettable that the International community and civilized society took refuge under the policy of non interference in internal affairs, allowing adventuresses with secret agendas, to use the military for their own selfish gains: opportunists and greedy intellectuals queuing up in corridors for appointments.” The memorandum also dealt with various topics, ranging from socio-cultural, education, ethics and values in Ghana’s domestic economy and child welfare: He paid a special tribute to two Ghanaian diplomats, late Messrs Joseph Nwaneampeh, and Bernard Takyi who died some few years ago, while in service in Geneva and also all those who scarified their lives in different ways for Ghana and Africa, to ensuring an establishment of new order of freedom and justice, peace, stability and progress. Touching on polygamy, which he described as a dangerous social canker, Mr. Boatin called for its complete ban, adding, “such obnoxious practice permitted under the banner of tradition in Ghana, has contributed to social decadence, parental irresponsibility, delinquency, leading to promotion of strive, jealousy and hatred; also becoming a contributory factor to high domestic (home) spending and over-population, domestic violence, abuse and exploitation of women. “At this moment of 50 years in Ghana’s historical life, which calls for a period of reflection, I am by this calling on Parliament, Churches and entire public to debate on its merits and demerits, in the hoping of banning it”. On education, Mr. Boatin warned: “Ghana must be wary of turning-out from schools or universities ‘white-colour job’ aspirants, chasing for non-existent jobs; curriculum must be geared towards creativity and innovation, equipping students with techniques of establish enterprises, thus creating jobs, and managerial skills. “Where possible, assistance could be sought from UNESCO and Ghana’s traditional donors to assist to financing such programs: there should be a back-up finance package to assist those who would venture into job creation”. He again called on the government and parliament to take a bold political decision to move Ghana capital to Wendi, in the northern region, to reduce the present population over-load on Accra and emphasized the need for a ban on the use of foreign names, adding “the time of the slave master, giving names to his slaves are the days of the past”. End (See full text).