I will appoint fair-minded Attorney-General when elected President — John Mahama

The flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has pledged to appoint a neutral Attorney-General who will have the freedom to discharge his or her duties with fairness should he be elected in the December 7 presidential election.

He said a neutral Attorney-General would ensure justice delivery was not selectively dispensed on partisan lines, stressing that justice delivery was a pillar of good governance.

Addressing lawyers affiliated to the party at the fourth annual NDC Lawyers conference in Ho, Volta Region, last Sunday, the former President said the nation’s democracy was now fragile and must be protected with utmost diligence.

About 200 lawyers attended the conference which was on the theme: “Keeping a legal eye on the prize: The NDC lawyer’s role in ensuring victory 2024”.

Among topics discussed at the conference were the role of lawyers in Election 2024, future directions in Ghanaian electoral laws – insights from the 2020 presidential election petition judgment, election security and fraud.

The rest were challenging the validity of a parliamentary election — grounds, timing forums and procedure, and legal implications of the 24-hour economy policy.

Situation

Mr Mahama said the past eight years had witnessed an unimaginable regression in the nation’s democracy, during which institutions had been weakened, and citizens’ liberties taken for granted and abused.

The flag bearer added that corruption and bad governance had become a cancerous tumour eating away the foundations of solid institutions built between 2009 and 2016.

“We cannot build a prosperous and democratic nation anchored on the principles of freedom and justice, and providing equal opportunities for all without recognising the crucial role of the legal profession,” he said.

Mr Mahama reaffirmed NDC’s recognition for the essential role lawyers played in upholding the rule of law, protecting and defending the interest of the nation, saying, it was in line with the party’s manifesto - “Resetting Ghana”.

He said the NDC was also committed to encouraging, supporting and empowering lawyers dedicated to the values of democracy to ensure that justice prevailed in all facets of society to realise the vision of a prosperous and democratic country.

“A lawyer who identifies with the values and ideals of the NDC believes in and stands for the ideals of democracy, including social justice, transparency, probity and accountability,” Mr Mahama added.

Public tribunals

The flag bearer further announced that the NDC would reintroduce the public tribunal system in line with the dictates of the Constitution.

He said the decision not to activate the regional tribunals, despite their recognition in the constitution, would be corrected.

Mr Mahama said the NDC as true democrats, did not believe institutions created by the Constitution should be jettisoned at the whims of individuals.

For that matter, he said, the party would obey the constitutional injunction in Article 125 (2), which mandates “popular participation in the admiration of justice through the institutions of public and customary tribunals and the jury and assessor systems”.

Mr Mahama explained that the reintroduction of public tribunals and the role of lay panel members in the administration of justice would rekindle public confidence in the judicial system.

He urged the participants to educate the public on the NDC’s policies as outlined in the party’s manifesto, by letting the people understand that those policies were not just campaign promises.

“Our policies are grounded in sound legal and democratic principles that aim to foster a just and equitable society,” said the NDC flag bearer

He entreated the lawyers to stay ahead of new legal developments and be abreast of the laws on the electoral processes and systems to effectively defend the NDC at all times.

A spokesperson for the flag bearer, Joyce Bawa Mogtari, bemoaned the rate of unemployment in the country, and said it was for this reason the party was introducing the 24-hour economy policy as contained in its manifesto.