In every thriving democracy, the rule of law serves as a cornerstone, ensuring that justice is administered impartially, free from political interference or the allure of public relations spectacles.
However, in the current political landscape of Ghana following the December 2024 elections, concerning patterns have emerged. Justice seems to be selectively applied and weaponized as a partisan tool rather than pursued for the common good.
Shortly after the political transition, prominent figures in the NDC started naming individuals who they claimed needed to be held accountable for alleged wrongdoings. These individuals included Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, and Malik Basintale.
Accusations were flung around recklessly, with individuals being declared guilty in the court of public opinion. The so-called ORAL list was brandished about as if the country had abandoned the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.”
Since assuming office, the NDC government has initiated a series of high-profile prosecutions primarily targeting individuals associated with the previous NPP administration. On the other hand, cases involving NDC-affiliated individuals have been abruptly dropped with little fanfare.
This unequal application of the law raises serious questions about whether justice is truly being served or if it is being manipulated for political gain.
The early media blitz was not merely rhetoric but a strategic move to soften public resistance to the prosecutions that followed. The cases were executed with deliberate flair, including dramatic arrests designed to sway public opinion even before a verdict was reached.
Justice has now become a performance, prosecution has transformed into propaganda, and the law, instead of shielding citizens, is being used as a weapon against political opponents.
One cannot help but wonder if this is the impartial justice of a maturing democracy or merely political theater orchestrated by the NDC to solidify power and stifle dissent.
The Attorney-General and the Special Prosecutor have been conducting investigations in a highly publicized manner, often making bold claims before obtaining sufficient evidence for a credible conviction.
Phrases like “water-tight evidence” and “accomplices singing like a bird” create an illusion of certainty, while in reality, many cases have not led to charges or convictions.
Notable cases involving allegations of misappropriation, financial loss, and fraud have been initiated, but convictions remain elusive. The discontinuation of prosecutions against high-profile NDC figures further adds to the perception of selective justice.
While the government touts transparency and accountability in its legal actions, the discontinuation of cases involving NDC members citing “public interest” or resource considerations raises eyebrows.
These contradictions point to a broader reconfiguration of Ghana’s democratic institutions to serve partisan interests rather than upholding the rule of law.
The weaponization of state security institutions, the suspension of the Chief Justice, the media’s role in propagating government narratives, and the erosion of judicial independence all signal a dangerous trend that threatens Ghana’s democratic fabric.
Ultimately, the choice before Ghana is clear: uphold the rule of law as the foundation of governance or succumb to political theater disguised as justice. The future of Ghana’s democracy hangs in the balance.
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