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CHIEF JUSTICE SPEAKS AT GJA AWARDS NIGHT |
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Her Ladyship the Chief Justice, Mrs. Justice Georgina T. Wood, has reminded well meaning Ghanaians of their solemn and patriotic duty to proactively work towards free, fair, transparent, credible and peaceful elections.
Justice Wood observed that negative events which had characterised post-election activities in some African countries make Ghana’s upcoming elections a real test, and that Ghanaians have to prove sceptics and cynics wrong by demonstrating to the rest of the world that Ghanaians walked the good governance and the rule of the law talk.
Justice Wood made these remarks at the Ghana Journalists Association Awards Night held at State House with the theme “Using the media to promote national unity and stability in an election year”.
In her capacity as a Peace Ambassador, a title conferred to her by Ghana Artistes for Peace (UGAP), Chief Justice Wood urged all to pursue the path of peace and make Ghana a worthy member of the comity of nations.
The Chief Justice said “the ruling government has a part to play, but so do their friends on the other side of the political divide. The role of our security agencies, particularly the police are critical in this endeavour. The Judiciary also has a role to play in this endeavour, but so does the Electoral Commission, the National Commission on Civic Education, other key state institutions and, indeed, all Ghanaians.”
She noted that the media stood between politicians and the public, and therefore advised them to act fairly and justly in relation to exchanges between those groups. She also charged those seeking political mandate to govern to advise their supporters to desist from all acts that would undermine the credibility of the elections and national peace.
She reiterated that the media had a strategic role to play in the dissemination of information, and to that end, advised that stories involving ethnic or religious groups had to be handled with sensitivity. She urged that telephone calls-in be well managed using technology to edit uncomplimentary or inflammatory language.
Justice Wood said that, as public educators, the media should assist the public to grow in the spirit of fairness and sportsmanship and build the capacity of the political contenders in all areas. She emphasised that the media should be neutral and impartial and should not allow their personal preference or animosity to becloud their judgment. She advised against outright manufacture of wicked lies against political opponents that turned to undermine institutional integrity or destroy other people’s hard won integrity.
Justice Wood also assured the media that the Judicial Service would organize periodic courses in court reporting and the work of judiciary to concretize their reportage. She however lamented that some journalists do not understand what criticism are allowed and what is not allowed, stating that “just as is obtained in political debates, we attack the decisions of a court on legal grounds. We do not attack the person of judges for giving judgment in accordance with the law and according to their conscience.
Justice Wood tasked them to follow the guidance of the National Media Commission especially in an election year and avoid deliberate presentation of scenes, episodes and facts that are meant to excite passion, hatred, contempt and prejudice.
The Chief Justice said that, in pursuit to deepen democracy, the judiciary would open up to the press to enable them understand the judicial process so that they can play their proper role as communication media and moderator of public debate. She therefore promised the media a strong Communication Department that would facilitate interaction between the judiciary and the media.
In conformity with the constitutional obligation of the Judicial Service to deal with electoral disputes, Justice Wood stated that, provisions have been made for a number of automated courts across the country to deal with election disputes on a day-to-day basis including Saturdays.
She also reminded Ghanaians of the availability of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system as an option for disputants to choose in their quest for justice which is fully operational in the courts.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 06 November 2008 )
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