I have taken a break from a PhD in law after two years of demanding studies. People I have a good deal of respect for including a couple of judges have asked me to consider teaching law, which I do occasionally as guest lecturer. But I feel it’s better to do so after a PhD research experience.

A PhD must signify scholarship and wisdom that places a patriotic restraint on the holder to a professional and ethical conduct. It is embarrassing how a growing number of PhDs reduce the esteem one ought to have for those who have endured the discipline to earn it.

Lawmaker Dr. Kingsley Nyarko is bold to give the lame and pathetic excuses and justifications you have heard because nothing will happen to him.

He lied on paper that he gave the money, what he earlier called a document, because the officers had not been served lunch. He forgets that he gave the money at 10 in the morning.

If the police is not serious about prosecuting the plain criminal conduct, they will charge him under the Representation of the People Law (PNDCL 284) prohibiting acts of undue influence, bribery and corruption in elections. By that law’s ridiculous section 42, they require the Attorney-General’s express permission to prosecute such offenses. In Ghana, AG’s do not prosecute members of their political party.

The chances are good if they resort to similar or even more direct provisions in the Criminal And Other Offences Act as amended in 2020 or if the OSP which does not require AG’s consent takes up this case on its corruption mandate. We cannot build a decent society if there are no consequences for wrongdoing for a class of people. If this had been done by an ordinary citizen, they would have been in police custody by now.

These days, some PhDs open their mouths on the radio and TV and you are left feeling embarrassed for them. They, who should lead a debate of ideas and intellectual analysis are often heard trading insults and talking such bizarre and illogic propaganda that leaves people asking how and where such minds got a PhD.

Many have suffered the pretentious idiocy of the Dr. Nyarkos and Dr. Appiahenes of this world. The President spurned good advice to revoke Peter Appiahene’s appointment. He will also not resign despite calls by well-meaning citizens and CSOs. This is not good, because the EC, like Caeser’s wife, must be above suspicion. But the election procedures are such that, one may say, it will take an idiot of a criminal to attempt to manipulate election results.

In Ghana, presidential and parliamentary election results have been a product of an open transparent, candidate, party, voter, and observer-policed process from start to finish.

This is the reason the Supreme Court, in 2013, soundly rejected the NPP’s prayer to annul some results because presiding officers failed to do their constitutional duty of appending their signatures to the “Pink Sheets”.

This brought about the law punishing these officers with fines and jail terms rather than visiting their sins on innocent voters. In part II next week, I invite the media to be vigilant and credible ahead of the 2024 elections and to avoid becoming vehicles by which the opposition NDC especially demonizes the EC without just cause.

Congratulations, the UN says on World Press Freedom Day, for daring to challenge power, risking your lives to document atrocities, corruption, and crime, and to stand up against oppression. You serve as the ultimate allies in human rights. And that’s My Take. 

Samson Lardy ANYENINI

May 4, 2024