The Majority Chief Whip of Parliament, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has urged the judiciary to exercise greater sympathy toward accused persons, emphasizing the need for fairness in the application of executive power.
Speaking on TV3’s The Key Points on Saturday, February 22, he highlighted how, in criminal jurisprudence, the state wields immense power over individuals, many of whom are poor and defenseless.
Dafeamekpor underscored how the police, as part of the executive arm of government, can easily arrest and detain individuals, sometimes without due regard for their rights.
"The judiciary must have some form of sympathy. Even if an accused person is bloodied and shackled, the judiciary must consider their humanity," he stated.
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He urged judicial officers to prioritize justice rather than merely endorsing executive authority.
Commendation for Mahama’s governance style
Shifting focus to governance, Dafeamekpor commended President John Dramani Mahama for his leadership style and fiscal discipline since assuming office.
He contrasted Mahama’s approach with that of the previous administration, particularly in government expenditure and executive size.
According to Dafeamekpor, Mahama inherited a 25 percent pay rise for public sector workers between July and December 2024. However, after assessing the country’s financial situation, he determined that sustaining such increments was impractical.
"Instead, Mahama prioritised cost-cutting measures, including reducing the number of ministers to 42. He has lived up to his promise. When he calls labor to the table, they listen because he is not doing the opposite of what he pledged," he said.
He criticized the previous administration under Nana Akufo-Addo, accusing it of lavish spending despite urging Ghanaians to tighten their belts. He recalled how attempts to raise such concerns in Parliament were often dismissed, with the justification that the president needed to ‘freshen up.’
Public sector salary adjustments
Dafeamekpor traced inconsistencies in salary adjustments under the previous administration, which he argued led to labor unrest.
He noted that in 2021, public sector salaries increased by only 4 percent, despite the government taking multiple loans that did not translate into improved livelihoods. In response to growing labor dissatisfaction, a 15 percent Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) was introduced in 2022, but it did not affect base pay. Ahead of the 2024 elections, salaries were increased by 30% to appease workers.
However, economic difficulties persisted, worsened by the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), which eroded citizens’ investments.
"The finance minister and the new governor, along with the economic management team, are now working to stabilize the economy," Dafeamekpor assured. He projected that labor unions would soon see improvements beyond the current 10% salary increment.
Prudent leadership and social justice
The Majority Whip emphasized the need for leaders to lead by example, praising Mahama’s administration for promoting modesty.
"Even we, party leaders, have been cautioned to live prudently. That is why you no longer see the Majority Leader moving around with a convoy of 50 military officers," he said.
He criticized political figures who isolate themselves with excessive security, arguing that true leadership requires direct engagement with the people.
"When you serve the people well, you do not need to hide behind bulletproof cars or armed convoys. You should be able to walk the streets, buy toothpaste, and interact with the people," he asserted.
Dafeamekpor also expressed concern over illegal mining (galamsey), urging state officials and party leaders to refrain from activities that destroy Ghana’s natural resources.
Additionally, he called for greater accountability in tax compliance, stating that leaders who evade taxes cannot expect ordinary citizens to fulfill their obligations.
