The National Organising Committee (NOC) of the 11th Annual Constitution Week celebration on Saturday tagged lawyers hauled before the General Legal Council to provide evidence of corruption in the judiciary as Anti-Corruption Promoters (ACP).
The three lawyers, Dr Raymond Atuguba of the Constitution Review Commission, Mr Abraham Amaliba of Legal Resources Centre and Mr Laary Bimi, Chairman of National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) have been accused for using the Constitution Week platform to denigrate the judiciary.
The NOC, organiser of the Annual Week in a statement to the Ghana News Agency in Accra noted that: “the Anti-Corruption Promoters must be commended for their bold gesture in standing out to speak on an issue many dared to discuss in public.”
It expressed reservation about the action of the Judges and Magistrates Association hauling the three lawyers before the General Legal Council for their claim that corruption was rife in the judiciary.
According to the NOC, the action violates Act 452(21) of the 1992 Constitution which states: “A person who wilfully obstructs the NCCE or otherwise interferes with the Commission in the discharge of its functions commits an offence….”
“We need such courageous men and women to hold the bull by the horn to expose the ills of society….as organiser of the platform and initiators of the topic: ‘The State of Ghana’s Democracy 2011,’ we pledged to support you all throughout the process.”
“We also wish to assure other Constitution Week Speakers current and future that the NOC will continue to provide enabling environment for healthy public discourse for the development of the country and protection of the 1992 Constitution”.
Membership of the NOC includes: Commonwealth Human Rights Initiatives, Office of the National Chief Imam, Ghana Immigration Service, Parliament, Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Integrity Initiative, National Commission on Culture, Ghana National Fire Service, Information Service Department, and Political Parties.
Others are: Religious Bodies, Ghana National Association of Teachers, Ghana Centre for Democratic Development, Institute for Democratic Governance, Electoral Commission, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Judiciary, Christian Council of Ghana, Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, MUSIGA, Governance Africa Foundation and Ghana Revenue Authority.
The NOC noted that the annual National Constitution Week celebration, was aimed at emphasising citizens' responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution, preserving it for posterity; informing the people that the Constitution is the basis for Ghana's great heritage and the foundation for the way of life; and to encourage the study of the Constitution.
It also aimed at making the Constitution a living document embossed on the minds and hearts of the people for the attainment of democracy and good governance.
The celebration also seeks to develop the culture of democracy, the courage to resist violation of citizen’s human rights and the tenacity to resist dictatorship of all forms and, more particularly and fundamentally any overthrow or attempted overthrow of government.
The NOC noted that the 1992 Constitution stands as a testament to the tenacity of Ghanaians throughout history to maintain their liberties and freedom, and to ensure those inalienable rights to every citizen.
The tradition of celebrating the Constitution Week started in 2001 to annually dedicate a month for the observance of Constitution Week.