DEALING WITH LAWLESSNESS (APRIL 6,2010)

THE directive from President John Evans Atta Mills to the Police Command to deal ruthlessly with those who fall foul of the law, regardless of their political, religious and other affiliations, is really heart-warming.
Coming after a wave of ethnic and politically motivated violent acts, it goes without saying that the directive is a timely response to an emerging trend of lawlessness.
Indeed, the President, at a meeting with the Police Command, demonstrated that he was concerned about the alarming state of anarchy in the country and committed to addressing them head-on.
Our society should have no room for political, social, ethnic and religious miscreants who consistently try to exploit the democratic ambience in the country to create a state of lawlessness.
While there is the recognition that in a democratic system the right of the people to express their dissent cannot be taken away, there is also the recognition that in the spirit of sound democratic practices, the expression of any such dissent must not infringe on the rights of others, as well as public safety and peace.
Many Ghanaians, no doubt, share the concerns of the President. Therefore, the emergence of flash points at Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo, Yendi and Tamale, all in the Northern Region, Tuobodom in the Brong Ahafo Region and some parts of the Ashanti Region should be a worrying development.
Again, as noted by the President, the law was no respecter of persons and people hiding under the cloak of political, social, economic and religious influence must be told brazenly that should they fall foul of the law, the law will take its course without fear or favour.
Now that the President has given such a bold directive, the ball has been thrown well into the court of the Police Service to live up to expectation and ensure that the directive is enforced to the letter.
The DAILY GRAPHIC wishes to caution that any lapse in concentration on the part of the police will take away the momentum generated by the President’s directive and throw us back into another wave of violence and lawlessness.
This is an opportunity for the police to demonstrate that they are up to the task and remain unquestionably committed to stemming the wave of lawlessness that appears to be a new nemesis.
While the police are at it, it is also important to educate the citizenry, particularly political activists, as well as those embroiled in chieftaincy conflicts, to recognise that the recourse to violence provides no solution to their grievances.
Rather, it demonstrates that they are an intolerant lot who deserve no sympathy from the powers that be and well-meaning Ghanaians.
Dialogue should continue to serve as the foundation for the resolution of conflicts and aggrieved parties always need to bear in mind that violence usually begets violence, while dialogue provides worthy alternatives or solutions for what may seem to be stalemates or difficult situations.
The DAILY GRAPHIC urges the government to remain resolute in its quest to ensure that Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians resident in the country are law-abiding, while those who embark on violent and unlawful acts are appropriately dealt with.
Being a government by the people and for the people, it must seek to serve and preserve the interests of all Ghanaians, irrespective of their economic, social, religious or political status. That is only fair and proper.