Calls for peace vital; but there should be justice

A founder member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Ashanti Region, Mr George Ayisi Boateng, has lauded the clarion calls for peace to prevail in the aftermath of the verdict on the election petition, but cautioned there cannot be peace if justice was not deemed to have been served.

He said it was important all political parties were being urged to adopt postures of peace and national cohesion particularly after the Supreme Court verdict later this month but stressed there ought to be emphasis on the need for justice as well.

In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Ayisi Boateng said all that Ghanaians were expecting was to see that justice has been done.

He said with all parties in the election petition having given their evidence in open court which was televised live, there shouldn’t be any cause for trouble after the verdict thinking something can be swept under the carpet.

“Those singing let there be peace should also take into account, fairness and equity. The same proceedings should reflect in their opinions,” he said.

The NPP, led by its flag bearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, vice presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and chairman of the party, Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, petitioned the Supreme Court after the Electoral Commission declared President John Mahama winner of the December 7-8, 2012 general election.

The case has been pending since late December and the court is expected to deliver its verdict before the end of August 2013.

Following that there have been numerous calls from different organisations for peace and the need to accept the verdict of the court.

But according to Mr Ayisi Boateng, there was no need to “drum peace without talking about justice since the two moves together”.

He therefore called on Ghanaians, irrespective of political or religious affiliation, to pray for the nine Supreme Court Judges to deliver a good judgment that will be acceptable to all.

He said it was only through such a process that the peace that people have been calling for could be achieved.

The NPP founding member said with a vibrant media and in a situation where the addresses of all parties in the petition advancing their legal arguments are already in the public domain courtesy the media, “it cannot be said that something can be swept under the carpet.”

He maintained the future of the country was now in the hands of the judges and that is why they need prayers.

“The law is in the bosom of the judges and they should try and do justice for all Ghanaians and the world to see that justice has been done.”

“There wouldn’t be cause for any worry. Everybody can be satisfied and Ghana can move forward,” he said.

Mr Ayisi Boateng maintained that the election petition has implications for generations unborn with regards to the future of elections in the country and that whatever judgment would be given by the court would determine the future political development of the nation.

By Enoch Darfah Frimpong / Graphic.com.gh / Ghana

Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh