The Uneven Scale of Justice: A Call for Equity and Consistency

As a proud son of Santrokofi, nestled within the Guan constituency of the Oti Region, I have witnessed firsthand the profound injustice inflicted upon our people by the very institutions entrusted with safeguarding our rights. For nearly four years, we have endured the indignity of being denied parliamentary representation, our voices silenced in the halls of power.

The Supreme Court, the supposed guardian of our Constitution, has turned a blind eye to our plight, choosing instead to prioritize politically expedient decisions over the fundamental principles of justice and democracy.

The recent ruling by the Supreme Court, which overturned the Speaker’s declaration of four vacant parliamentary seats, has cast a harsh light on the glaring inconsistencies that plague our nation’s judicial system. It is a bitter irony that the same court, which failed to act swiftly and decisively to restore our rightful representation, now moves with remarkable alacrity to protect the interests of those already ensconced in power.

This duplicity is a betrayal of the very essence of justice. How can we, the people of Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe, and Lolobi (SALL), have faith in a system that so blatantly favors the privileged few over the disenfranchised many? The recent comments from the Communications Director of the ruling party, Richard Ahiagbah, dismissing our lack of representation by claiming that the President speaks for us, lay bare the contempt with which our plight is regarded.

If the President can indeed represent the people of SALL as Ahiagbah suggests, then why cannot he also represent the people of those four constituencies? This logic, so conveniently applied in one instance, is glaringly absent in ours. The people of Fomena and Assin North have also endured the burden of being denied their elected voices, yet their suffering seems to pale in comparison to the urgency with which the Supreme Court has acted in their cases. This inconsistency is not just an oversight; it is a deliberate and systematic failure of our judicial system.

The implications of this ruling extend far beyond the immediate political fallout. It strikes at the heart of our social contract, eroding the trust that binds our society together. When the scales of justice are so brazenly tipped in favour of the powerful, it sends a dangerous message to the marginalized and disenfranchised: that their voices do not matter, that their rights are expendable in the pursuit of political expediency. This is not merely a legal issue; it is a moral crisis that demands our attention.

The foundations of our democracy are crumbling under the weight of such blatant inconsistencies. How can we trust in a system that applies the law selectively, that upholds the rights of some while trampling upon those of others? This is not justice; it is a perversion of the very ideals upon which our nation was built. The Constitution, which should serve as the bedrock of our democracy, is being manipulated to serve the interests of a few at the expense of the many.

The selective justice demonstrated by the Supreme Court is not merely an isolated incident; it is symptomatic of a deeper malaise within our institutions. The judiciary, which is supposed to be an impartial arbiter of justice, has instead become a tool for political maneuvering. This is a dangerous precedent that undermines the rule of law and diminishes the credibility of our legal system. The citizens of this nation deserve better; they deserve a judiciary that is committed to upholding justice, not one that is beholden to the whims of political power.

We must demand better from our institutions. We must demand consistency, equity, and an unwavering commitment to the principles enshrined in our Constitution. The path forward begins with a comprehensive overhaul of our judicial system—one that prioritizes the equal application of the law and the protection of fundamental rights for all citizens, regardless of their political affiliation or socioeconomic status.

This undertaking will require a concerted effort from all stakeholders—the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as civil society organizations and the people themselves. We must come together to forge a new vision of justice, one that upholds the ideals of fairness, transparency, and accountability. The current state of affairs is untenable; we cannot continue to allow the scales of justice to be manipulated for political gain.

The road ahead will be arduous, but the alternative is far more perilous. A nation built upon a foundation of injustice and inequity is a house of cards, destined to crumble under the weight of its own contradictions. We must act now, before the flame of democracy is extinguished by the winds of corruption and self-interest. The time for complacency has passed. The fight for justice is an ongoing battle, and it is our sacred duty to take up the mantle to defend the rights of all Ghanaians, regardless of their place of origin or political allegiance.

The struggle for equity and consistency in our judicial system is more than just a political issue; it is a moral imperative. We owe it to ourselves and to future generations to ensure that justice is not a privilege reserved for the few but a right guaranteed to all. We must hold our institutions accountable and demand that they operate in a manner that is transparent and fair.

As we stand at this crossroads, let us draw strength from the resilience of our ancestors, who fought tirelessly for the freedoms we now cherish. Let us honour their sacrifices by rekindling the spirit of justice that once burned brightly in our nation’s heart. Only then can we truly claim to be a nation of laws, a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations to come.

We must be vigilant in our pursuit of justice. The Supreme Court’s recent ruling is a clarion call for all citizens to engage actively in the defense of our democracy. We cannot afford to be passive observers in this critical moment. Each of us has a role to play in advocating for a judicial system that reflects our collective values and aspirations.

Manasseh Azure writes in his Facebook, “Any Ghanaian with some modicum of honesty in his/her blood would agree that if SALL had been an NPP stronghold, it would have not gone four years without an MP.”

Manasseh Azure’s statement highlights a critical issue of representation and equity in Ghana’s political landscape. By suggesting that if SALL had been an NPP stronghold, it would not have endured a four-year vacancy in parliamentary representation, he underscores the selective application of political justice. This assertion points to an uncomfortable truth: the prioritization of political interests often eclipses the fundamental democratic rights of citizens.

The implication is that certain constituencies are afforded greater urgency and responsiveness from political institutions, while others, particularly those perceived as opposition strongholds, are left marginalized. This reflects a broader systemic bias that undermines the principle of equal representation. Such disparities not only erode public trust in political institutions but also contribute to a growing sense of disenfranchisement among citizens, who may feel that their voices and votes are less valued in the political arena. Addressing these inequities is essential for fostering a more inclusive democracy where every Ghanaian’s right to representation is upheld, regardless of their political affiliations

In conclusion, the fight for true equity and consistency in our judicial system is not just the responsibility of those directly affected by these injustices; it is a collective responsibility that we all share. We must strive for a system that truly represents the voices of every Ghanaian. It is only through our united efforts that we can hope to reclaim our democratic ideals and restore faith in the institutions that are meant to serve us all. Let us rise to the challenge, for the future of our nation depends on our resolve to pursue justice for all.

As a proud native of Santrokofi, I am deeply troubled by the Supreme Court’s 5-2 decision favoring the four constituencies, which starkly contrasts with our prolonged disenfranchisement. My heart bleeds for Mother Ghana when I witness such selective justice being dispensed, as it calls into question the integrity of our judicial system. It is disheartening to see that the voices of some citizens are prioritized over others, perpetuating a cycle of inequality that undermines our collective aspirations for democracy. This situation demands our urgent attention and action; we cannot allow the scales of justice to be tipped in favour of the powerful while the rights of the marginalized are overlooked. We must strive for a system that truly embodies fairness and equity, for the sake of all Ghanaians and the future of our beloved nation.

Source: Innocent Samuel Appiah || expressnewsghana