Osei-Tutu Paul
NPP, VICE CHAIRMAN – BELGIUM
17/12/2012



It’s been a long journey of helplessness, lack of freedom and integrity to express and manifest justice and for that matter peace in the judicial system of our great nation Ghana. How long are we prepared to wait before we can accept JUSTICE as the only road to PEACE? Sensitively, most people seem to be unaware or deliberately turn away from the relevance behind PEACE. My personal question to anyone who accept and uphold peace as the best way of life is, how do we make peace without justice? My reflection on whatever answer you may have is; as the legend Bob Marley puts it “he who fights and run away live to fight another day”. Caution, don’t get the Legend wrong, fighting for a right (justice) is not about persecution, violence and weapons. The culture of forgiveness is about having mercy for your neighbor, a good thing but has nothing to do with seeking redress for injustice as nation when it comes to the political divide, we may all have our differences and opinions but there can only be one right, and in the end justice and mercy must work together for peace. The Nation Ghana and its populace must set themselves right to be able to identify the difference as to when to forgive and forget (that is mercy, which only provides hope) and the right to justice and freedom which certainly and ultimately manifest itself in peace and discipline. Forgiving perpetrators without the proper course of redress is not always a solution especially when they (perpetrators) comes back to do same crimes again and again. The failure to access and analyze problems for the benefit of peace in the future is a concussion for more external and more intensive problems.

God is just that is why he punishes injustice therefore the rationale to punish perpetrators is not wrong, it is by dominion. Justice must prevail in equal terms for everyone in our judicial system. It is a divine gift and not just by chance and




therefore must be respected.
As the Good Lord says in Deuteronomy 16:18-20
“Appoint judges and officials for yourselves from each of your tribes in all the towns the Lord your God is giving you. They must judge the people fairly.
You must never twist justice or show partiality. Never accept a bribe, for bribes blind the eyes of the wise and corrupt the decisions of the godly.
Let true justice prevail, so you may live and occupy the land that the Lord your God is giving you”. Deuteronomy 16:18-20

Member and supporters of the NDC, NPP and other parties, are certainly not the only citizens in Ghana therefore seeking redress for in justice by any political party or any individual must unequivocally be accepted as a good thing for the future of Ghana as a whole. The NPP has sought to seek redress through the appropriate channel, this request needs to be upheld as a sign of true democratic process that certainly will bring peace and tranquility to the whole nation, please let’s have patience and wait for the outcome of the courts verdict, democracy must advance for a better Ghana and a better future for our children. It is the test of time for our judicial and political system.

Violence in any form must be condemned but the justice department needs to understand that postponing justice in the interest of the majority is postponing peace and freedom not just for the majority but for the whole nation. It’s now or never, justice delayed is justice denied and can be a recipe for unpredictable and sporadic violence which in the course of time can develop into widespread and spontaneous violence. Ghana is matured enough to understand the treats of open violence and therefore must accept the rule of law as the only way forward.
If the NDC thinks they have no case and no reason to panic they must simply allow the democratic process to take its course through the appropriate channel, time will tell who the cap fits.









FAIRNESS
Being fair is making sure that right prevails, that people are not unjustly treated. It indicates we are thinking more about others than ourselves and that we have sensitivity to their needs. It demonstrates a sense of justice that does not want to see evil or sin win. It is an inner desire for integrity and an outward desire to build up the self-worth of others. It is to be like Christ.
It is about time for our judges to show maturity without few of being persecuted. The lives and the future of the whole Nation rest on their shoulders. Judges must also consider the fact that as humans, unqualified delays beyond our control has the potential to test our patience and obedience and may trigger troubles, it is therefore incumbent on the judges to make sure justice will prevail and on time. God bless Ghana.