Audio By Carbonatix
Professor Kweku Asare has challenged the panel of judges hearing Ghana's Election Petition at the Supreme Court, to mention names of persons they claimed are writing letters to the court against the acceptable practice.
Professor Kweku Asare, has stated, the publication he authored on the ongoing Election Petition, was a formal petition he wrote to the Chief Justice and not an ordinary letter to the panel of judges hearing the case.
On Wednesday, the Court hearing the Petition challenging the election of John Mahama as president revealed that, "highly-placed" members of the society were writing to the court - something that is also contemptuous.
Presiding judge of the panel of judges, William Atuguba did not reveal names of these letter writers but the rumour mill pointed fingers at Dr. Arthur Kobina Kennedy of the New Patriotic Party and Ghanaian Professor, Kweku Asare.
Dr. Arthur Kennedy on Wednesday expressed his surprise that the judges should find contemptuous, his open letter to the court published in media outlets.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsfile via skype from his base in the USA, Professor Asare challenged the court to release names of suspected letter writers.
He said "if the court finds it necessary to announce that people have been writing to the justices, then the court should name these people and release the said letters for public vetting otherwise, we get into an arena of speculating".
He said the Supreme Court is a court of record and need not fuel the “engine of rumour-mongering”.
He clarified that his, was not a letter but a formal petition to the court to take judicial notice.
This, he says was entirely different from writing a letter. But he wondered how even writing a letter to a judge can be contemptuous.
He explained that if it was an ex-parte communication, it would have been clearly unacceptable. Ex-parte is when a party to the hearing of a case or a petition such as Dr. Mamudu Bawumia, second petitioner or President John Mahama first respondent writes to the court, he explained.
He says India is encouraging people to write to Justices in an attempt to demystify the court.
He also raised questions about where the Supreme Court got its original jurisdiction to hear criminal cases, suggesting that it came from the people.
He weighed into the 10-day sentencing of Ken Kuranchie managing editor of Daily Searchlight for contempt.
He referred to Article 162(4) which guarantees the Freedom and Independence of the Media. It states
(4) Editors and publishers of newspapers and other institutions of the mass media shall not be subject to control or interference by Government, not shall they be penalized or harassed for their editorial opinions and views, or the content of their publications.
In view of this provision, he wondered why the managing editor had been punished.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Interior Minister commends Christian-Muslim Dialogue group for sustaining peace in Upper West
33 seconds -
It was love at first sight – John Kumah’s widow on how she met new husband
6 minutes -
Don’t credit SML exposure to OSP; it played no role – Dafeamakpor
11 minutes -
Nana Oye urges structured diaspora engagement as Ghana pushes 24-hour economy, export-led growth
18 minutes -
Trade Minister urges manufacturing firms to source locally to drive jobs, industrialisation
19 minutes -
Ghanaians must stop idolising political leaders; they’re servants of the people – Abu Jinapor
23 minutes -
NAPO questions selective renaming of public universities
25 minutes -
Mahama urges Africa-Diaspora unity as reparations debate takes centre stage at Accra summit
27 minutes -
Technical glitch at GRIDCo causes blackout in parts of Kumasi
30 minutes -
Dafeamakpor defends withdrawn OSP repeal bill, says move was to strengthen anti-corruption fight
33 minutes -
NAIMOS clamps down on illegal mining at Kwabeng, seizes excavators and pay loader
47 minutes -
Three-month-old baby, five others killed in late-night fire at Abuakwa Manhyia
1 hour -
Today’s Front pages: Monday, December 22, 2025
1 hour -
The media is the lifeblood of democracy – Afenyo-Markin declares
1 hour -
Mahama Ayariga vows not to be provoked to comment on Bawku chieftaincy matters
2 hours
