Executive Director of Youth Alliance for Democratic Development, Ghana (YADD-GHANA), James Kofi Martey, has urged the constitutional review committee to ensure an Independent Attorney General and Police Service.
Speaking at an open forum program dubbed the 1992 constitutional review at the University of Ghana, Legon, he emphasised the need for the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to be appointed by an independent body, rather than the government.
He argued that this would prevent political interference and ensure that justice is served for all citizens.
Martey noted that the Attorney General, as the lawyer for Ghanaian citizens, should be independent and not a politician.
He stressed that the current system, where the President appoints the Attorney General, creates a conflict of interest, particularly in cases where the governing party is involved in corruption.
“If the governing government office is court in corruption, we don’t see justice,” Martey stated. “Therefore, the Attorney General should be independent and should not be a politician and shouldn’t be appointed by the President because he can’t fight the one who appointed him.”
Martey also called for Article 200 to be amended to make the Police Service independent, free from presidential interference.
He cited examples of recent AbleKuma North and Ayawaso West by-elections, where police failed to intervene despite violent incidents.
Martey attributed this inaction to the fact that the President appoints the Inspector General of Police (IGP). He emphasised the need for the police to operate independently, free from political interference.
“We want the Police to be their own so that they can do their work well without interference from any political party,” Martey emphasised. “Because the police should protect life and property to maintain law and order.”
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com/Bernard K Dadzie
