Opinions of Saturday, 28 January 2012

Columnist: Osabute, Kwaku

Ghana breaking free from culture of arrogance?

Amadora-Portugal—Ghana, like other African states, should break free from the medieval psychopathic traits, a culture of arrogance which tramped on the rights of the individual, says a public advocate, Kwaku Boatin.

Governors during that period, ruled with impunity and arrogance, under a tradition which was characterized by a pattern of disregard for, or violations of the rights of others, Kwaku Boatin told a meeting of “Friends”, an African cultural group here.

“They treated humans beings worse than animals, who out of ignorance, believed that humans were second-rated to their adorable pets that they treasured and jealously protected , inferior to their pleasurable horses that they passionately admire, and lesser in IQ to donkeys that they admire for their strength and obedience.

“21st century which has carried in its trail a high-flying human evolutions and successes gained through blood sacrifices, sweat and toil, of our fore-fathers, who fought wars in defense of freedom and liberty, should press humanity on, to evolve in Africa, a different culture with a high moral code of ethics, empathy and affection-- free of deception”.

2-‘Attorney-Generals’:

Referring to highly publicized public demand for Ghana government’s explanation leading to the dismissal /resignation of 2 Ghana’s ‘Attorney-Generals’ within a split of time, he says withholding information is seen in the modern times —21st century-- as one of the evils of sociopathic demeanor.

“Ghana government’s behavior, wrapped in expulsion/resignation of country’s 2 ‘Attorney-Generals’ shows clearly that, there is something absolutely wrong with the political system; that political administration has broken down; the public has a right to know what’s going on”.

The ex-Attorney General, Betty Mould allegedly stained in the highly agitated “Woyome-gate”, was quickly appointed Minister of Education, before her resignation, while her successor, Mr. Martin Amidu, was dismissed by the government.

Parliament should come to the public assistance to enact laws to make such practices, like with-holding vital information from the public as one of 1st degree felonies, punishable by imprisonment or fine to protect public interest and right to know.

More.

Amnesty from prosecution?

Touching on Ghana’s constitution, he describe as outrageous, the transitional provisions hidden in the constitution, which grants amnesty-- immunity from prosecution-- to members of the erstwhile AFRC/PNDC.

He said the provision should be expunged from the constitution, perhaps in a referendum as required by law, to enable all those who suffered during those periods or those who think that their rights were violated during those crazy periods, to resort to court action to restore their dignity.

Kwaku Boatin says the Ghanaian public should not forget so soon, all those who lost their lives, or were maimed during those turbulent times, suggesting that 3 sitting High Court Judges, including Mrs. Justice Koranteng –Addo, who painfully lost their lives, discharging their duties, be remembered by instituting public lectures, in their memory.

“I feel that special monuments should be erected in their memory for their sacrifices to the country—while remembering the other Heads of States, and wing commanders too, who sadly lost their lives”.

The corpses of 3 High Court Judges:

This was in the period of July, 1982—Press reports on the incident said: The corpses of 3 High Court judges and the Personnel director of then GIHOC, Major Acquah were found near Akuse on the Accra plains on July 4.

It named the Judges, as Mrs. Justice Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, (aged 46), Mr Justice K.A. Agyepong (56) and Mr. Justice F. P. Sarkodee (53), had been abducted on various pretexts from their homes on June 30 by 4 armed men. The 4 victims were buried in Accra, on July 7, which the then PNDC declared a national day of mourning.

Reuters reporting on the incident said: “there are no early indications of when and where Major Acquah (GIHOC) was kidnapped. Reuters described the corpses as “bullet-ridden and partially burnt”.