CULTURE OF IMPUNITY MUST CEASE (FEB 26)

Ghana has become the toast of the world in recent times because of our conscious efforts to promote peace and stability as prerequisites for development.
For some time now, the country has been referred to as an oasis of peace in a sub-region where most countries are struggling to reconstruct out of the ashes of war with very little success.
In spite of the global recognition of Ghana as a country with huge regard for civil liberties and rule of law, all is not well throughout the country.
There are still pockets of conflicts in several parts of the country and these conflicts are deeply rooted in political and chieftaincy differences. These conflicts have retarded society’s development processes.
Unfortunately, some of our communities have gained notoriety for recurring conflicts while our security agencies look on in helpless amazement. Very often, our leaders bemoan the tragedy imposed on society by these conflicts by calling on the people to strive for peaceful co-existence.
The DAILY GRAPHIC chides the security agencies for showing apathy in enforcing the law when people well-connected to powerful persons in society are involved in criminal activities.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Sumani Nayina, is absolutely right when he said the failure of the security forces in the region to deal with perpetrators of crimes, particularly conflicts, was contributing to the recurring problem.
Not too long ago, we were alarmed at the incidence of mob justice because of the apparent lack of confidence in the criminal justice system. Those who decided to adopt self-help when their rights were trampled upon chose the path of mob justice because the security forces proved incapable of handling the situation.
The culture of impunity can only create a lawless state where the powerful and the well-connected are above the law. This culture will not engender a peaceful environment because the signals sent to the rest of society is that it does not pay to be law-abiding.
The outcome of this objectionable way of life is the breakdown of law and order. We are not yet at the precipice of anarchy but the fruit of our disregard for law and order is the common spectacle of indiscipline at the workplaces, on the streets and in the homes.
The solution to the frequent breakdown of law and order in certain communities such as Bawku, Tamale, Yendi, Anloga, just to mention but a few, lies in the prosecution of perpetrators of those who indulge in criminal activities.
The pledge by the government not to protect anybody who breaks the law is welcome news. But the pledge must not just be an intent but translated into action where culprits will be made to face the full rigours of the law.
The DAILY GRAPHIC cautions against any high-handedness in restoring sanity in all the conflict-prone areas. Let us be firm but fair in dealing with the situation without witch-hunting.
So long as political party activists are involved in the recent Tamale conflict, care must be taken not to polarise efforts at resolving it so as not to give politicians the opportunity to shout on rooftops claiming that they are being victimised for their political beliefs rather than for criminal acts.