Former Supreme Court Justice William Atuguba has emphasized the importance of appointments to the judiciary and other governmental institutions being based on merit rather than factors like protocol, cronyism, ethnicity, or inappropriate considerations.
During a public lecture titled “Protecting Our Democracy: The Role of the Judiciary,” Justice Atuguba underscored the significance of safeguarding these institutions, particularly the judiciary, from political influences.
He further stressed the necessity of conducting a thorough audit and restructuring of not only the Judiciary but all government bodies.
“The current public perception of the Judiciary in Ghana is reflected on social media. In light of this, what matters most is the genuine auditing and restructuring of the Judiciary and indeed all other government institutions because, just as the cyanide of illegal mining (galamsey) has devastated our forest lands and contaminated our water bodies, political corruption has similarly tainted our governance institutions.
“Appointments to the Judiciary or any other governance institution must be made by completely independent bodies based solely on merit and not influenced by factors like protocol, cronyism, ethnicity, or other improper considerations.
“Government institutions, particularly the Judiciary, must be effectively insulated against presidential and other political pressures. Service conditions should be reasonably attractive, and security of tenure must be guaranteed. The executive powers of the President and his officials should be significantly restricted. There must be a clear separation of parliament from the Executive branch. The emphasis should be on genuine and sincere governance in the interest of the people, rather than hollow and exaggerated ideas of electoral empowerment for anyone or a group of individuals.
“However, meaningful political reforms cannot be expected without sustaining the ongoing Political Renaissance in Ghana, even under a change of regime.
“I would like to acknowledge and congratulate nationalists such as Kwasi Pratt, Dr. Arthur Kennedy, Dr. Gyampoh, Prof. Bokpin, Prof. Agyeman-Duah, Dr. Asare-Baah, Kwame Pianim, Dr. Nyaho-Nyaho Tamakloe, Kelvin Taylor, Emmanuel Wilson Jr., and others for their contributions to the political discourse in Ghana.
“I also wish to acknowledge various Civil Society Organizations such as the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development, Ghana Integrity Initiative, Citizen Ghana Movement, Africa Centre for Energy Policy, Parliamentary Network Africa, Penplusbytes, Media Foundation for West Africa, Send Ghana, One Ghana Movement, Centre for Democratic Development, Democracy Hub, Occupy Ghana, and the Institute for Democratic Governance. I may not recall all of them, but none should feel left out.”
