Ghanaian lawyers appeal to IGP, Interior Minister to stop “brazen” murders
The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) says it is frightened by the recent upsurge in murders in the country.
In a statement released on Monday, the association said it finds “the brazen nature of some of the murders and the blatant disregard for human life by the perpetrators very disquieting and frightening.”
The association of legal practitioners reminded the government that the right to life is a fundamental human right, which is guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
“The lives of Ghanaians and that of persons residing in Ghana must be protected and nobody should be subjected to violence of any form except as is permitted by law,” the GBA statement said.
The release by the association comes on the back of the recent killing of Ahmed Hussein-Suale, an undercover investigator and a key member of Anas Aremeyaw Anas’s Tiger Eye private investigative team.
Also, Deputy Distribution Manager of Accra East Region of GWCL, Mr Joseph Miigaai Jakperuk, and the Marketing and Public Relations Manager of the Tema Port, Mrs Josephine Asante, have both been killed in a style many have suspected could be contracted killings – prompting a state of fear, insecurity and worry.
“The Ghana Bar Association consequently calls upon the Minister of Interior, and the Inspector General of Police to put in place, without delay, measures that will guarantee the safety and security of Ghanaians.
“The GBA further calls upon the Government to ensure that the Ghana Police Service is well resourced to enable it to maintain law and order,” the lawyers appeal.
Anthony Forson Jnr is President of GBA
Read the full statement below.
GHANA BAR ASSOCIATION’S STATEMENT ON RECENT UPSURGE IN MURDERS
The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has noted with great concern and unease, the recent upsurge in murders in the country. The GBA finds the brazen nature of some of the murders and the blatant disregard for human life by the perpetrators very disquieting and frightening.
The Association hereby extends its condolences to the families and colleagues of the Head Pastor of the Assemblies of God Church, and the employee of the Ghana Water Company Limited, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and the Tiger Eye Private Investigative Team respectively who have unfortunately lost their lives over the past couple of weeks gruesomely.
The right to life is a fundamental human right, which is guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. The lives of Ghanaians and that of persons residing in Ghana must be protected and nobody should be subjected to violence of any form except as is permitted by law.
The state is therefore under a duty to ensure the safety and security of its citizens and residents at all times. The recent spate of murders and the resultant heightened sense of insecurity is a threat to Ghana’s democracy. Safety and security are essential components of the rule of law and must be protected and guarded by the State.
The Ghana Bar Association consequently calls upon the Minister of Interior, and the Inspector General of Police to put in place, without delay, measures that will guarantee the safety and security of Ghanaians. The GBA further calls upon the Government to ensure that the Ghana Police Service is well resourced to enable it to maintain law and order.
The Bar further calls upon the security and law enforcement agencies to ensure a swift and thorough investigation of all the murder cases, the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators. The perpetrators must not escape from justice.
The GBA also finds it worrying the spectre of lawyers appointed to defend persons in such cases. It is totally unacceptable for a lawyer giving the best representation to his or her client, in any case, to be harassed or harangued in any manner as this is the bedrock of the rule of law which we as a people have accepted as our way of life.
We hereby reiterate our previous calls for respect for the rule of law, freedom of the Press, the right to free speech and the peace and security of our country to be guarded jealously.
ANTHONY FORSON, JNR.
PRESIDENT
YAW ACHEAMPONG BOAFO
NATIONAL SECRETARY