Mistrust of Politicians in the Judiciary is Detrimental to Electoral Integrity Kan Dapaah

National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah has disclosed that lack of trust in the judiciary system is a recipe for chaos in the upcoming December 7 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. 

According to him, if politicians do not trust the judiciary, it is becomes challenging for peace to prevail before, during and after the elections.

Speaking at an election forum in Accra, the National Security Minister admonished politicians to desist from passing comments that have the tendency of inciting political party sympathisers to engage in violence which will mar the peace of the country. 

He, therefore, urged politicians not to run down the judiciary with their unsavoury comments during the campaign period.

As Ghana prepares to go to the polls come December 7 2024, the various political parties and independent candidates have started making their manifestos known to the electorates. The ruling New Patriotic Party faces a fierce contention from the National Democratic Congress, whose flag bearer had lost to the incumbent President, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo.

The NDC desires a come-back while the NPP seeks to retain the power, thereby, breaking the 8-year cycle.

There have been constant backlash from the opposition party as well as the leader, John Dramani Mahama, who have accused the judiciary of working in favour of the ruling government, however, the national Security Minister, shares the opinion that, such comments should not be taken into the campaign as it would have a dire repercussion on the electoral integrity of the country.

“We may for the first time experience a situation where none of the major political parties will be willing to explore the courts to address their grievances.

“Indeed I have heard some senior people in the political space saying that, that they have lost faith in the courts’ ability to address their concerns when it comes to elections. So this can create a situation that can set the stage for chaos.”

“And it underscores the need for us to build a robust and transparent electoral system where results coming from same will be acceptable by all parties.”

The Minister further urged citizens to prioritise peace in the upcoming polls.

“Ghanaians must also be aware of their responsibilities. They must not allow themselves to be used by politicians who lose elections. Peace is very expensive and sometimes we have to make sacrifices one time or the other to sustain it. So may nobody participate in violence. So those who lose, accept it peacefully,” he said.Kobina Darlington/