The judiciary is an arm of government whose special position in the furtherance of democracy and the rule of law puts it in a special stead.
It is one arm of government which even in the face of military adventurism remains untouched as witnessed over the years although.
An exception was recorded however when in one of such interruptions three high court judges were murdered by a forebear of the NDC.
That nonetheless the junta still depended on the services of the injured judiciary for the dispensation of justice.
Many important tasks of governments such as the attraction of investments will be negatively impacted when the judiciary loses traction.
Unfortunately this arm of government which is constitutionally protected from the executive control as much as possible is today under threat.
Even before President John Mahama won the last elections he did not hide his intentions about the judiciary. Of course such intentions were anything but acceptable and in consonance of democratic principles.
He sounded an alarm about promoting NDC-aligned lawyers to the bench among some of the things he promised to do to reset the judiciary according to his whims.
The last publication of The Daily Gist contained a story about certain planned elevations to the Supreme Court by President Mahama which leave much to be desired.
The foregone and the ongoing schemes to remove the Chief Justice from office using questionable charges endorse the fears about an unfavourable resetting of the judiciary towards a particular undemocratic end.
Why would someone who was removed from office constitutionally for breaches come under the radar of the President for consideration for appointment to the Supreme Court.
This and other overreaches would undermine the sanctity of the judiciary and throw the rule of law to the dogs.
So much efforts by various players in promoting the judiciary to its current state of respect and independence are documented.
Folding our arms therefore as Ghanaians who prefer multiparty democracy and the rule of law to dictatorship cannot be a preferred option.
Let us join hands in unison and speak up against this creeping negative resetting of the judiciary.
The plot has just begun and it is spinning fast. Any delay in scuttling the machination would not inure to the interest of this country of ours.
So far the voices have not reached the required pitch to get the President to come off his unacceptable plans.
CSOs which have not yet lost their respect, the clergy, imams, professional, organised labour, farmers and market women should stand up and be counted among patriots who want the rule of law to prevail.
If we remain silent and allow the President to have his way the way he wants it, Ghana would be on its way to the dangerous state of a ‘One Party State.’ Is that what we want? Certainly no.
The misuse of state powers to intimidate citizens as being evidenced by the infamous raids on the residences of some individual politicians and arrest of journalists for speaking out against suspected state engagements in bad deals should prick our conscience to wake up from slumber and strike while the iron is hot.
