Audio By Carbonatix
The Northern Regional Operational Commander, Richard Lantei Odartey, has raised concerns that growing political activism in Ghana is gradually eroding the supremacy of the law, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to justice and accountability.
Speaking at the JoyNews Impact Makers Foundation programme, “Democracy is not for sale," held in Tamale on Friday, March 27, Supt. Odartey stressed that the country risks undermining its democratic foundations if urgent steps are not taken to restore respect for the rule of law.
“Until we get to the point where we see political activism lower than the supremacy of the law, we will never get there,” he said.
He noted that political activities are increasingly taking precedence over legal processes, making it difficult to ensure fairness and justice.
“As of now, political activism or political activities is gradually submerging the supremacy of the law, so until we get to the point where the supremacy of the law will be restored to its original place, it will be difficult,” he stated.
Supt. Odartey further highlighted the growing challenge of politically exposed individuals allegedly using their affiliations to shield themselves from prosecution. He indicated that some individuals enter politics primarily to protect their business interests, particularly when those businesses are linked to criminal activity.
He observed that law enforcement efforts are often frustrated in such cases, as prosecutions involving politically connected persons tend to drag on for years without resolution. In contrast, individuals without political backing are more likely to face swift legal action when evidence is established against them.
The police officer questioned the disparity, asking why justice appears to be applied unevenly depending on one’s political alignment.
He stressed the need for renewed public education on the supremacy of the law, insisting that all citizens must be treated equally.
“So let's try with the education that the law is supreme, all of us are equal before the law, but as of now, some are not equal before the law. Until we get to the stage where all of us are equal before the law, it will be difficult,” he said.
The “Democracy is not for sale” campaign forms part of civic education efforts aimed at promoting electoral integrity and discouraging voter inducement across the country.
Latest Stories
-
Imprisonment should be rehabilitative, not punitive – Ghana Prisons boss at UNGA
2 minutes -
Ga Adangbe traditional priests petition Mahama over McDan aviation licence revocation
13 minutes -
Anti-LGBTQ Bill: NDC’s arrogance is worrying – Hassan Tampuli
24 minutes -
Let’s give OSP time to mature, not to scrap it – Hassan Tampuli
28 minutes -
Nigeria convicts 386 Islamist militants in mass trials
33 minutes -
Djibouti president wins election with 97.8% of vote, state media saysÂ
37 minutes -
We don’t have mandate to deduct tax from rent allowance of security services personnel – Interior Ministry clarifies
52 minutes -
Ablakwa receives Presidential Special Envoy on Reparations to advance global agenda
1 hour -
Christina Koch becomes first woman to travel around the moon on Artemis II
1 hour -
Epstein survivors’ calls to meet King Charles and Queen harder to ignore as US visit approaches
1 hour -
UN Secretary-General names Ghana’s Anita Kiki Gbeho as South Sudan envoy
1 hour -
Mali withdraws recognition of Sahrawi Republic, backs Morocco’s autonomy plan
2 hours -
Gov’t distributes over 8,500 laptops to One Million Coders project
2 hours -
Julius Debrah, ‘man to beat’ as NDC’s James Agbey dismisses Musah Dankwah’s polls
2 hours -
GPRTU in Savannah Region to protest alleged eviction in Damongo
2 hours