A viral video of city authority taskforce once again assaulting people including an elderly woman, in the name of enforcing some sanitation rules, breaks my heart. Even if the law did not prohibit such conduct, what upbringing emboldens a young man to whip an elderly woman and in public?

Well, the Regional Minister was applauded supervising similar unconstitutional and criminal conduct where his task force flogged and made people squat in and sweep dusty portions of Madina roads for failing to use the footbridge.

Article 15 of the Constitution prohibits any form of inhuman and degrading treatment and acts likely to diminish their dignity and worth, and that’s even when one is in grips of police or custody of the state for a criminal offence.

Sadly, even the President didn’t see any wrong with the indiscriminate burning of excavators on sight without an opportunity for their owners to be heard. The cardinal principle of law is that a man must not condemned unheard and one must not be a judge in his own cause – that’s why the courts exist.

What do you want the people you purported to condemn for the mob injustice in the murder of a soldier to learn? These injustices especially by constituted authority inspire impunity. You think this MCE for Sekondi-Takoradi is alone in this brazen “above-the-law” conduct?

He only got unlucky his act is in the public. Many police officers, poor civil servants, have suffered naked evil transfers for refusing unlawful instructions, daring to call the bluff of politicians and people connected to power or for simply being or not being NDC or NPP. Stop the injustice!

Justice is sweet when it is swift. But justice may be buried when it is hurried. In a rather swift turn of events in 2017, characteristic of the well-choreographed removal of EC boss Charlotte Osei and her deputies, the University of Education, Winneba was also set on edge.

There may have been a procedural issue with the University’s Council and the refusal to reconstitute it. But that should not have led to the bizarre developments that saw the Vice Chancellor, a principal officer and four other staff axed from office.

One court decision after the other, and a quick installation of a new VC and replacement of other officers saw the University dominate the news. Even the President was accused of complicity and undermining the courts in the induction of Rev. Fr. Prof. Afful Broni in 2018 at a time a number of suits including an injunction application were pending determination.

Yes, not even an EOCO investigative report exonerating those affected by the alleged procurement wrongs could get them their jobs back. Yes, even a favourable determination of a petition by the Education Minister was ignored just like a similar outcome by a committee of eminent persons chaired by a respected Court of Appeal judge.

This week, the High Court issued orders compelling their reinstatement and compensation. Some of them may have moved on, but justice at last, and it was refreshing to hear an emergency University Council meeting attended by the Education Minister declare full commitment to restore Prof. Mawutor Avoke to his VC position as well as Dr. Theophilus Ackorlie and the other affected staff.

Res judicata, litigation must come to an end. The posture of the Council must be embraced by all who seek the wellbeing of the University. The VC position is vacant, and Prof. Avoke has only some two years (up to September 2023) to serve.

His promise of reconciliation should see a united University staff focused on the progress of the University of Education, Winneba. All those playing various roles to ensure the end of what sought to destroy this important centre of higher learning deserve commendation.

Justice hurried, may be justice buried. That’s My Take.

February 5, 2022. Samson Lardy ANYENINI